One unintended consequence of rising peanut prices was the squeeze it would place on food banks.

As the economy squeezes food budgets, more families are seeking assistance putting food on the table, especially during the holidays. The rise in need has not been met with donations however -- less people have money to give.

So where do peanuts come in?

Peanut butter is a pantry staple -- kids love it, it has a long shelf life and rarely has religious dietary concerns.

However the rising cost of peanut butter after a bad peanut crop means less and less peanut butter available. In some pantries, families are being asked to cut back.

Food banks are trying to come up with a suitable -- and inexpensive -- alternative to the sandwich standard.

Read More:

• Food banks worry about rising peanut butter prices (USA Today)
• Peanut Butter Too Expensive for Food Banks (Village Voice)