NUTmobile spreads the love of peanuts in Jackson
JACKSON, Tenn. — WBBJ was the recent pit stop for one iconic ride.
“This is our new NUTmobile. It actually was made last year, so one thing that we love is the evolution of Mr. Peanut that we have. We also have some Halloween decorations,” said Adleigh Mayes, Planters Peanutter. “It’s cool to see how the mascot has evolved over the years, and then also, we have these chairs custom-stitched with Mr. Peanut.”
Planters has had a fleet of peanut vehicles on the road since 1935.
“I graduated from Freed-Hardeman University this past May,” Mayes said. “So, we’re back here to visit Freed-Hardeman University, and we thought we’d stop by WBBJ while we’re in Jackson.”
When the brand was owned by Heinz, there were three NUTmobiles traveling across the county.
Since Hormel acquired the brand in 2021, a single NUTmobile has since been spreading the love of peanuts.
“This is it’s 90th year going around,” said peanutter Hudson Ritchie. “It started out just like a little kind of peanut car, it was not what we have now. So, this year is our 90th year of the NUTmobile. It’s super exciting, and we’re all really happy to be a part of it.”
To celebrate the 90th anniversary, Planters unveiled the latest evolution of its iconic ride, and it runs on peanut oil.
“One thing that we’re really excited for is we’re going to be in California for like the Super Bowl, so we’re excited to see all the people and get all of the crowds during that. It’s going to be fun,” said Mayes.
This 26-foot-long peanut on wheels has evolved into a nutty experience that brings communities together.
“It’s absolutely important to connect with the community,” said Ritchie. “Peanuts, I feel, is more of, has an idea that is maybe for an older generation, but peanuts have a great message, a great community around them.”
The NUTmobile is scheduled to make several other stops across the region this week, including the Jackson farmers market and Donnell Century Farm. For details on the next stops, click here.
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