How Do Peanut Butter & Battle Creek Go Together?
Let's be honest. What doesn't go with peanut butter? But to be fair, let's look at how the Battle Creek peanut butter sandwich came about. The year was 1895 and the Western Health Reform Institute, headed by Dr. John H. Kellogg was in full swing.
The Mix
The Doctor
J.H. Kellogg was an interesting man. Figuring out how to get people healthy was his passion, and his job. Patening a process to serve easy-to-chew legumes, (aka peanut butter) earned him and his hometown, Battle Creek, a place in the history books.
Exploring J.H. Kellogg's Legacy
Some of Dr. Kellogg's patients were lacking the needed nutrients that a good protien food source could give them. Even today sick or elderly people can experience trouble with chewing hard or tough foods. In 1895 the problem was even tougher.
The Problem
The Patent
Dr. Kellogg is mostly known for his contribution to breakfast when he created Corn Flakes. But, he also had patents towards the process of taking dried nuts and creating a smooth dietary solution for his protien lacking patients.
PBfest
So This is Battle Creek's Peanut Butter Festival
In 2024, the Battle Creek City Council voted to recognize the contributions of J.H. Kellogg for the contributions he made towards the history of peanut butter. The proverbial nut fell from the tree and gathered a few other interested voices who decided that steps needed to be made towards the development of a new festival in Battle Creek, one to celebrate J.H. Kellogg's contribution. He didn't just grind a few nuts up, he innovated the nutritional element of a basic food product and solved a problem. PBfest wants to celebrate what he did, and what many others, past and future, have and will contribute to nutritional innovations.
