Our Story
Committed to Quality, Service and Safety
Since our formation in 2014, we have earned our position as a national leader in peanut processing, sales, and delivery. We are focused on all aspects of the peanut supply chain, providing our customers with superior products backed by rigorous, best-in-class food safety standards and dedicated service.
Our Timeline
Since operations began in 2016, Premium Peanut has consistently exhibited growth and development. As of 2025, the company has 11 buying points, more than 450 grower-owners, and—with an annual operating capacity of 260,000 tons—what we believe to be one of the most efficient shelling facilities in the world. Premium Peanut has paid dividends for each year of operation, returning over $98 million in dividends to its grower-owners to date.
Take a closer look at significant moments in Premium Peanut’s history and join us in celebrating our longstanding and continued commitment to our grower-owners and their communities.
Premium Peanut Is Formed
2014
In 2014, seven buying point owners and 228 peanut growers came together to form a cooperative-style peanut shelling company with a mission to generate and return value back to the growers.
Shelling Operation Begins
2016
Our facility in Douglas, Georgia, shelled its first peanuts in January 2016, with an annual processing capacity of 140,000 tons.
Oil Facility Comes Online
2018
In 2018, Premium Peanut expanded its capabilities and offerings by adding a crushing facility designed to produce and sell crude peanut oil to customers for further processing.
Premium Peanut Sells Seed
2021
To ensure grower-owners have access to the best quality seed, Premium Peanut began shelling and treating its seed in 2021. Bringing this process in-house has allowed us to continue to focus on quality for our grower-owners and customers.
South Carolina Expansion
2026
Construction is underway on a new shelling facility in Santee, South Carolina, scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2026. The 120,000-ton-per-year facility will shell peanuts for seed and commercial sales, helping Premium Peanut build on its grower-owner model, expand capacity and efficiency, and diversify operations.
Our Growers
We're Driven By A Farmer-First Mindset
Our grower-owned model — more than 450 peanut farmers strong and counting — equips Premium Peanut with a clear, bold vision and much-needed consistency in today's marketplace.
DLR Farms
Raulerson Family
Georgia
“I wanted to invest in a company that goes the extra mile to deliver a premium product.”
Flowers Farm
Flowers Family
South Carolina
“A farm is more than land and crops; It is a family heritage and future. Premium Peanut has become a part of our future.”
Shiloh Farms
Redmond Family
Georgia
“I’ve never been much of a gambler when it comes to marketing my crops. That’s why I rely heavily on my friends at Premium Peanut. They truly take the stress off my back, while also minimizing risk for our farm.”
Rentz Farms
Rentz Family
South Carolina
“Premium allows me and my boys to be fully invested in every step of the process, from seed to finished product, ensuring we have a hand in shaping the success of peanut farmers.”
Our Team
We Always Go Above And Beyond
Premium Peanut is committed to exceeding the expectations of customers and shareholders alike. With a strong background in peanut shelling, manufacturing and food safety, our leadership team taps into a diverse set of skills and experiences to approach each challenge with a creative, problem-solving mindset.
Clay Garnto
President & CEO
Courtney Dorsett
Vice President, Food Safety & Sustainability
Marshall Spivey
CFO
Bill Thelen
Vice President of Manufacturing
Rachel Santos
Director, Sales and Industry Relations
Alex Izmirlian
Sales
Jean-Paul Bodourian
Sales
South Carolina
Scheduled to come online in 2026, the Premium Peanut shelling plant in Santee, South Carolina, will greatly expand our peanut processing capacity and better position us to meet the needs of our customers and grower-owners.
Services:
Peanut Shelling
Georgia
Our shelling plant in Douglas, Georgia, spans over 148,000 sq. feet and has a total shelling capacity of 300,000 tons of peanuts per year. The plant is equipped with cutting-edge technology for enhanced food safety and quality assurance. Next door is our filtered crude peanut oil facility, which has an annual production capacity of 3 million gallons.
Both facilities allow for convenient ground and rail shipments of our products, maintaining utmost efficiency within our daily operations.
Services:
Peanut Shelling
Peanut Oil Extraction
