Every year, the average American eats more than six pounds of peanuts and peanut butter. Lee Zalben, the president of Peanut Butter & Co., believes that the love affair with peanut butter began at an early age for many. “Peanut butter has a very special place in the American psyche,” he says. “Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are often the first foods that we’re allowed to make for ourselves. It’s the first time we can be an active participant in preparing our food.”