Show Notes
Farmers put their livelihoods on the line with each crop they plant, tend to and harvest. Now imagine 40% of that crop going into the trash instead of feeding hungry people. That’s the unfortunate situation we’re in with food waste in the US. But there’s a push from multiple sectors to get the most out of every ounce of nutritious food American farmers grow. We’ll explore the issue of food waste and how peanuts are part of the solution on the farm and on the plate through conversations ...
More from The Peanut Podcast
In the latest episode of The Peanut Podcast, hosts Ashton Pellom and Lauren Highfill Williams explore how colleges across the country are embracing peanuts—not just as a flavorful staple, but as a key part of thoughtful, modern allergen-management programs. This episode brings together the voices of chefs, nutrition directors, industry experts and a student ambassador to show how peanuts can stay on the menu safely, confidently and creatively. At the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Execu...
In the latest episode of The Peanut Podcast, we traveled to Newsoms, Virginia, where peanut farming isn’t just work—it’s a way of life. Our guest, Westley Drake, is a 14th-generation peanut farmer whose story blends heritage, faith, and resilience. Westley shared how his earliest memories of farming came from following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. While he once considered firefighting and EMT work, it was his time at NC State that confirmed his calling in agriculture. Lis...
The Peanut Podcast’s latest episode, “10 Years of LEAP: Bold Progress in Peanut Allergy Prevention,” hosted by Ashton Pellom and Lauren Highfill Williams, marks a milestone in food allergy history. Listeners are taken back to the origins of the groundbreaking LEAP study with lead researcher Dr. Gideon Lack, whose work proved that introducing peanut foods early and often in infancy could reduce the risk of developing peanut allergy by up to 80%. “The cause of the disease and the trigger of sym...
In a flavorful new episode of The Peanut Podcast, NPB co-hosts Lauren Highfill Williams and Ashton Pellom take listeners on a delicious deep dive into one of America’s most beloved pantry staples: peanut butter. With this being the first-ever episode available in both video and audio formats, fans can now see the peanut passion in action. The hosts are joined by four leading voices in peanut butter: Lee Zalben, founder of Peanut Butter & Co.; Sarah Johnson of Skippy; Dr. Lisa Dean from US...
In “Sharing the Farm Story”, National Peanut Board co-hosts Lauren Highfill Williams and Ashton Pellom takes listeners on a thrilling ride into the realities of farming, debunking food myths, discussing sustainability, and exploring what keeps farmers passionate about their work. Featuring insights from Tara Vander Dussen, Randy the Peanut Farmer, and Abram Martens, this episode is a powerful reminder that the food we enjoy every day comes from hardworking individuals who care deeply a...