The Peanut Podcast

Class Is in Session: Peanuts in College Dining

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, Executive Sous Chef Caleb Pham oversees dining halls that serve tens of thousands of meals every day. For her, peanuts are inseparable from cultural authenticity and student expectation. “Peanut has always been an essential part of our menu design. Students come from India, Southeast Asia, China, and peanut has always been part of their cuisine.” Behind the scenes, Pham’s team focuses heavily on training and daily communication to ensure accuracy and safety. “We tackle cross-contact and mislabeling through intensive allergy trainings. We constantly supervise and remind our staff of safe and sanitary practice in the kitchen.” From pad Thai to chicken satay, Pham says removing peanuts isn’t an option; students simply wouldn’t stand for it. UMass’s best-in-class allergen strategy comes to life in the approach led by Sabrina Hafner, associate director of nutrition. Her team engages students with food allergies long before they arrive on campus—through orientation questionnaires, proactive communication and personalized consultations. And when it comes to peanuts, Hafner is clear: “We don’t ban peanuts. Providing an environment where students feel empowered helps set them up for adult life, because peanuts are really not going anywhere.” Across the country, campuses are rethinking old assumptions about allergen safety. Valeri Lea, founder of Sherman Moritz LLC and consultant to the National Peanut Board, sees a major evolution. “The trend used to be avoidance, but we’re seeing a real shift. Full exclusion doesn’t create a safer or more inclusive environment.” Lea shares how universities are implementing proven systems and how strong processes build campus-wide confidence. “You can serve peanuts safely with strong operational systems in place. It really starts with confidence built on the back of a good process.” Rounding out the episode is Macy Moates, a student at Clemson University and an NPB Health Nut Club Ambassador. From food trucks to unexpected peanut-powered snacks, Moates says peanuts surprise students with both flavor and functionality. “There are so many things with peanuts in them. They’re so nutritious. I can eat them midday, and I’m good for a while.” This episode highlights how peanuts support cultural authenticity, nutrition, inclusion and real-world readiness. Listen to the full episode of The Peanut Podcast to hear these stories firsthand—and discover why when peanuts are missing, something’s missing.

Roots in the Soil: A Day with Westley Drake

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. Listeners got a real look at the sacrifices farming requires—long days, unpredictable weather, and constant challenges. But Westley reminded us that farming is more than a career. It’s a year-long commitment to the land and to future generations. We also heard from Westley’s wife, Maci, who described her own role in supporting farm life—from chasing cows out of the yard to delivering food to the fields. Together, they’ve built a family grounded in faith, adaptability, and teamwork. Looking ahead, Westley sees peanut farming staying rooted in tradition while evolving with new tools and technology. His ultimate goal? To keep the farm thriving so his children—and future generations—can choose whether to continue the legacy. As he put it best, farmers like him are “the bridge between the old and the wise and the new and the inexperienced.” Westley is carrying wisdom forward, while preparing space for those who will one day follow in his tracks. 🎧 Tune in to hear the full story of Westley Drake—a farmer, husband, father, and a living link in the long chain of peanut farming legacy.

10 Years of LEAP: Bold Progress in Peanut Allergy Prevention

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 symptoms aren’t the same,” Dr. Lack explains, underscoring the shift from avoidance to proactive prevention. His insights remind us that science—and the courage to challenge old norms—can change lives.  Pediatric allergist Dr. Michael Pistiner brings both professional expertise and personal experience as a dad to a child with food allergies. His work on the FAMP-IT toolkit ensures parents and primary care providers have the resources to introduce peanut foods confidently. “Early introduction is no longer new or rogue. It’s the standard,” Dr. Pistiner says, emphasizing that every month counts in allergy prevention. Through partnerships with WIC and frontline clinicians, he champions consistent, accessible messaging for all families, regardless of resources.  Registered dietitian and maternal health advocate ChaCha Miller shares what it takes to make prevention advice practical and culturally relevant for families. Working through WIC and her online platform, she focuses on building trust and offering realistic solutions: “If it’s not easy, they won’t do it. It has to be simple and sustainable.” Her approach breaks down fear, combats misinformation and ensures that the life-changing benefits of early introduction reach all communities in ways that resonate.  Former National Peanut Board chair Dee Dee Darden blazed the trail for NPB’s commitment to the allergy issue and reflects on the Board’s decision to face peanut allergies head-on, even when the topic was uncomfortable. “If we’re going to be part of the problem, we need to be part of the solution,” she says.   NPB dietitian Markita Lewis shares why reaching WIC families is essential: “If we don’t reach them with early introduction info, we miss a chance to help prevent a lifelong health and financial burden.”   From farmers to clinicians to public health leaders, this episode celebrates a decade of progress—and calls on all of us to keep the momentum going. Listen to the full episode or watch the video to hear these powerful stories and join the movement at PreventPeanutAllergies.org [http://preventpeanutallergies.org/].

How Peanut Butter is Made: The Science, The Process, and The Love

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 USDA; and Dr. Gabrielle Harris from NC State. Lee Zalben kicks things off with a sensory breakdown of why peanut butter hits all the right notes. “It’s that creamy texture... and that kind of roasted flavor and some kind of sweetness… a little bit of salt, a little bit of savoriness,” he explains, offering listeners a glimpse into flavor science. Meanwhile, Dr. Gabrielle Harris peels back the curtain on the Maillard reaction—the chemical magic behind that irresistible roasted peanut taste: “This produces those wonderful roasted flavors, aromas, and colors.” The episode also uncovers the journey peanuts take from farm to jar, with Dr. Lisa Dean walking through harvesting and drying methods, while Sarah Johnson emphasizes the roasting process as a crucial first step: “It enhances the flavor of the nut itself. It makes them a little bit easier for the process.” Fun fact: crunchy peanut butter is just smooth peanut butter with chopped peanuts mixed in! Beyond flavor, the conversation shifts to nutrition and sustainability. Dr. Harris calls peanut butter a “functional food” and swears by its staying power during long days: “A scoop of peanut butter will keep me going for a couple of hours.” Lee Zalben highlights its sustainability edge, explaining that peanuts are nitrogen-fixing, water-efficient crops. Whether you're a creamy or crunchy devotee, this episode delivers a smart, fun, and crave-worthy celebration of peanut butter. Ready to go beyond the sandwich? Listen or watch episode 33 now and get the full scoop—smooth or crunchy—on peanut butter.

Sharing the Farm Story

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 about their land, crops, and communities.   Social media has made food trends more accessible than ever, but with that accessibility comes a wave of misinformation. Dairy farmer and agricultural advocate Tara Vander Dussen has seen firsthand how viral food influencers can create confusion about what’s actually in our food and more importantly, how it’s produced.     Tara’s mission? To clear the air. She believes that when consumers understand where their food comes from and how it’s produced, they feel more confident in their choices. Instead of listening to misleading claims, she encourages people to turn to real farmers for answers.   For Tara, farming isn’t just a profession, it’s her way of life. Living just steps from her dairy barn, she shared how her daily routine remains consistent, year-round, to keep her animals healthy and well cared for.   Her story is a testament to the deep connection farmers have with their work, there’s no separation between their livelihood and their personal lives. The commitment to caring for their animals and land is a 24/7 responsibility, not just a job they clock into.   Switching gears to peanut farming, Randy the Peanut Farmer reminded us that agriculture isn’t just about growing food, it’s about preserving a way of life and inspiring the next generation. But with the average age of farmers creeping higher, there’s growing concern about who will take up the mantle.   But despite the challenges, Randy remains hopeful. He believes social media can play a role in making farming look fun and inspiring future generations to consider agriculture as a career.   While passion keeps farmers going, sustainability is what will keep agriculture thriving for future generations. Abram Martens, a peanut farmer with a strong focus on soil health and conservation, emphasized the importance of taking care of the land.   Abram highlighted the ways peanut farmers are using new technologies and conservation techniques to improve efficiency while reducing their environmental impact.   This episode is a powerful reminder that agriculture is more than just an industry, it’s a deeply personal, passionate, and evolving field. Whether it’s Tara fighting food misinformation, Randy encouraging young people to farm, or Abram leading the charge in sustainability, one thing is clear: farmers are committed to feeding the world while preserving the land for future generations.   So the next time you pick up a jar of peanut butter or pour a glass of milk, remember the stories behind your food. And if you’re curious about how it all comes together, don’t believe everything you see on social media, ask a farmer instead!  Catch the full episode of The Peanut Podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts! 🎙🥜