September 13 marks National Peanut Day, and did you know that Suffolk, Virginia is considered the Peanut Capital of the World?
That's because in 1916, the iconic Planters Peanuts hosted a competition for who could create their next brand. A Suffolk schoolboy submitted his sketch of what would later become Mr. Peanut. Cartoon artists added a cane, monocle, and top hat and in 1919 Mr. Peanut appeared for the first time on packaging.
Suffolk is also home to one of just two mass-processing plants for Planters.
"The first mass processing plant for Planters was, and actually is, still in Suffolk, Virginia, so it's a crucial part of our brand," said Tania Castro or "Treenut Tania," a Planters Peanutter. "That's where we make our peanuts, it's where all our yummy treats are created, and it's one of just two mass processing plants in the U.S. that makes Planters products."
The Suffolk plant also specializes in making unique flavor combinations.
"Because it's fall, because the leaves are starting to turn, we have some pumpkin spice almonds that are made specifically in Suffolk," said Planters Peanutter Mason Mulrooney, or "Macadamia Mulrooney."
A locally owned shop in downtown Suffolk, Planters Peanut Center, sells the homegrown peanuts and also acts as a mini Planters museum.
"Mr. Obici came down from Pennsylvania back in the early 1900's and started Planters because he wanted to be near where the farmers were growing peanuts," explained Planters Peanut Center owner Faye beale. "So it became the world's largest peanut market."
Planters Peanut Center has been in business since 1967 and is most famous for its roasted peanuts. The peanuts are roasted daily in a roaster from 1936.
"It's run by gas and then we just in our minds put a timer on it," explained Beale. "It puts the odor out on the street to draw customers in, it's a neat thing to watch, it's old and it still works."
Suffolk's annual Peanut Festival will be held from Oct. 5 to Oct 8. Visitors will be able to try an abundance of fresh nuts, go on rides, enjoy other carnival goodies, and see the iconic Planters Nutmobile.
