The LuLac Edition #5, 110, May 15th, 2024

 

MAYBE I’M AMAZED

Our Maybe I’m Amazed logo

PLANTERS PEANUTS EDITION

MAYBE I’M AMAZED….that peanuts are regarded as Heart Healthy, may reduce the incidence of heart disease and are a good source of protein. Plus in some cases they improve the digestive system.

MAYBE I’M AMAZED….but not because of my knowledge of local history but Planters was founded by Italian immigrant Amedeo Obici in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He started his career as a bellhop and fruit stand vendor in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Obici later moved to Wilkes-Barre, opened his own fruit stand, and invested in a peanut roaster. Obici turned peddler within a few years, using a horse and wagon, and calling himself "The Peanut Specialist". In 1906, Obici entered a partnership with Mario Peruzzi, the soon to be owner of Planters.

MAYBE I’M AMAZED…….that the product needed to be refined a bit for mass consumption. The aforementioned Peruzzi had developed his own method of blanching whole roasted peanuts, doing away with the troublesome hulls and skins; and so with six employees, two large roasters, and crude machinery, Planters was founded. Amedeo Obici believed that prices and first profits were as important as repeat business, focusing his operation on quality and brand name for continued success. Two years later, the firm was incorporated as Planters Nut and Chocolate Company.

MAYBE I’M AMAZED……that  Obici moved to the peanut capitol of the world (ever hear of Virginia peanuts?) Suffolk) and opened Mthe company's first mass production plant and facility there.

MAYBE I’M AMAZED…..that the company mascot is one year short of its 110^th birthday. Mr. Peanut was created by grade schooler Antonio Gentile for a 1916 contest to design the company's brand icon. The design was modified by a commercial artist and has continued to change over the years. The mascot was a mainstay on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre as well as at the Narrows Shopping Center in Kingston.

MAYBE I’M AMAZED……that the advertising slogans through the years included the following:

"The Nickel Lunch!" – peanuts/peanut bars (1930s–1940s)

"Planters is the word for (good) Peanuts." (Various products – 1950s)

"America is Nuts for Planters" (1970s)

"Everybody Loves a Nut!" (1990s)

Relax. Go Nuts." (Deluxe Mixed Nuts – 1997)

"Put Out the Good Stuff." (Various products – 2003-2008)

"Deliciously NUT-RITIOUS." (UK range – 2016)

"Harness the Power of the Peanut"

"A Nut Above" (2021)

"Become One With the Nut"

"It's Nuts How Good They Are"

"The Power is in the Peanut"

MAYBE I’M AMAZED……the company  was acquired by Standard Brands in 1960. In 1981, Standard Brands(they made the Reggie Bar)  merged with Nabisco Brands, which was acquired by Kraft Foods in 2000. Kraft subsequently merged with the H.J. Heinz Company to form Kraft Heinz in 2015. Thought the years Planters was the most popular peanut product in America.

MAYBE I’M AMAZED….that Planters once had onion and garlic flavored peanuts. They were hastily discontinued.

MAYBE I’M AMAZED…..that you can find Planters Peanut Butter but only In Canada.

MAYBE I’M AMAZED…..and saddened that the  Planters Peanut Bar is a discontinued product. Loved it but now substitute a PayDay bar for it

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(Photo: Mary Ann Yonki aka Mrs. LuLac)

MAYBE I’M AMAZED……that there was once a building on South Main Street in Wilkes Barre that housed the Planters Peanuts facility, When LuLac was just starting, the demise of the building was in our 49^th Edition of the blog. Here’s the link: https://lulacpoliticaletter.blogspot.com/2006/08/lulac-edition-49-august-18th-2006.html  (Wikipedia, Planters.com., LuLac archives)