National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day is celebrated annually on April 2 in the United States. While the date for the specific year mentioned in the query is fixed to April 2, promotional activities and savings opportunities related to peanut butter and jelly products often appear throughout the year, particularly during back-to-school seasons. The provided source material highlights specific cash-back offers, historical context, and cultural significance regarding this classic American food combination. This article details available offers and relevant information derived strictly from the provided documentation.
National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day Origins and Traditions
National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day is primarily popular in the U.S. and focuses on the classic combination of peanut butter and jelly. The day is traditionally observed by preparing and consuming peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. According to the source data, the average American consumes approximately 1,500 PB&J sandwiches before turning 18, and an individual consumes about 3,000 PB&J sandwiches during their lifetime.
Historical Context
The history of the peanut butter and jelly sandwich includes several key milestones documented in the provided materials: * 1901: The first written reference to a peanut butter and jelly sandwich appeared in the "Boston Cooking School Magazine of Culinary Science and Domestic Economics" by Julia Davis Chandler. * 1968: Smuckers released "Goober Grape," a pre-swirled peanut butter and jelly combination in a jar. * Cultural Impact: The "dancing banana" meme, associated with peanut butter and jelly, gained significant popularity, receiving 29 million views on YouTube. In 2019, this meme experienced a revival when it was transformed into a character in the video game "Fortnite." * Sports: PB&J sandwiches are a staple in NBA locker rooms, with each team maintaining its own tradition regarding the sandwich.
Peanut Butter Preferences and Statistics
The source data provides specific statistics regarding American preferences and household habits: * Household Availability: 94% of Americans have at least one jar of peanut butter at home. * Texture Preference: 29% of people prefer crunchy peanut butter. * Nutritional Value: A PB&J sandwich provides 27% of the daily required fat and 22% of the daily required calories. * Economic Comparison: A PB&J sandwich is 90% more economical than a sandwich made with almond butter.
Jelly Pairings
When asked about the best jelly to pair with peanut butter, the documentation identifies strawberry jelly as the staple favorite, with grape jelly serving as a close runner-up. The combination is sometimes referred to as "stripes."
Promotional Offers and Freebies
While National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day is celebrated on April 2, promotional offers related to the ingredients or the sandwich itself often occur during other periods, such as the back-to-school season. The provided source material details one specific cash-back offer available through a third-party platform.
Ibotta Back-to-School Offer
A specific promotional offer was available via Ibotta, a cash-back application, during the back-to-school season of 2019. * Offer Period: July 14 through August 31, 2019. * Details: Users could receive 100% cash back on a variety of name-brand school supplies and snacks. * Eligible Items: The offer included notebooks, pencils, erasers, and ingredients for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. * Value: The total value of free items was estimated to be up to $20.
It is noted in the source that the content regarding this offer contains affiliate links. The source material does not specify the exact participating brands for the peanut butter and jelly ingredients within this Ibotta offer, nor does it provide a direct link to the offer page, only a general prompt to "Get this offer now."
Related National Food Day Deals
To provide context on how food holidays typically generate consumer promotions, the source material includes data regarding National Ice Cream Day and National Hot Dog Day deals from 2019. These examples illustrate the types of freebies and discounts that brands frequently offer on designated food holidays.
National Ice Cream Day 2019
National Ice Cream Day in 2019 fell on Sunday, July 21. Several brands in California offered deals: * Baskin-Robbins: Offered two pre-packed quarts of ice cream for $7.99, including the new "USS Butterscotch" flavor. * Carmela Ice Cream: Featured a flavor made with Guinness Stout and a touch of molasses, originally created for St. Patrick's Day but available year-round. * Nékter Juice Bar: Offered a "Buy One, Get One" special on vegan and dairy-free frozen "Skoop" treats via its rewards app. Flavors included Monster Cookie Dough, Peanut Butter Swirl, Orange Twist, and Chocolate Haze. * Bennett's Ice Cream: Located at The Original Farmers Market in L.A., offered $1 off any ice cream item between 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. * My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream: Promoted poppable ice cream wrapped in sweet rice mochi dough, offering both dairy and vegan options.
National Hot Dog Day 2019
National Hot Dog Day deals in 2019 included: * 7-Eleven: $1 Quarter Pound Big Bite Hot Dogs on July 17. * Dog Haus: Free Haus Dog via app offer on July 17. * Love's Travel Stops: Free hot dog (or other roller grill item) on July 17 when presenting a barcode found on their app, website, or social media. * Philly Pretzel Factory: $1 pretzel dogs on July 17; first 100 customers after 11 AM received one for free. * Pilot Flying J: Free hot dog (or other roller grill item) on July 17 via app offer. * Portillo's: Two regular hot dogs for $5 through July 21. * Wienerschnitzel: Five chili dogs for $5 on July 17.
Educational Resources
For educators or parents interested in celebrating National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day with children, the source material references a specific educational product available on Teachers Pay Teachers. * Product: "Peanut Butter and Jelly Song/Rhyme" designed for National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day (April 2). * Target Audience: Kindergarten through 1st grade. * Content: The resource includes a song to teach four different voices (speaking, singing, whispering, calling/shouting). It also includes video song links and a short original poem. * Usage: The resource is designed for music activities and has been used in student concerts.
Conclusion
National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day on April 2 celebrates a staple of American cuisine with deep historical roots and significant cultural relevance, particularly in the NBA. While the specific date for the holiday is fixed, consumers seeking freebies and deals related to PB&J ingredients found opportunities during the back-to-school season in 2019 through cash-back applications like Ibotta. The provided documentation confirms the popularity of the sandwich, with 94% of households having peanut butter on hand, and highlights the variety of preferences for textures and jellies. For those looking to engage with the holiday beyond consumption, educational resources are available to teach children about the food through songs and rhymes.