The SFA Hall of Fame
Honoring long-serving members of the specialty food community for their achievements and impact 
2026 Hall of Fame award winner

Lee Zalben

Peanut Butter & Co.
2026
Hall of Fame

Lee Zalben is the Founder and CEO of Peanut Butter & Co., a pioneering specialty food brand that helped transform peanut butter from a pantry staple into a category driven by flavor, values, and storytelling. In 1998, Lee opened the Peanut Butter & Co. sandwich shop in New York City, making fresh peanut butter daily and building a devoted following. By 2003, the brand expanded into retail, and today Peanut Butter & Co. products are sold in more than 15,000 stores across the U.S. and Canada, with distribution reaching Asia and the Middle East. 

Committed to transparency and origin, Lee established Peanut Butter & Co. Farm in Arkansas in 2019. That vision comes to fruition in 2026 with the launch of Farmer & Friends, the first nationally distributed peanut butter made with peanuts sourced from a specific grower community. 

A longtime leader within the Specialty Food Association, Lee has served on the Producer Council and Board of Directors, championing governance, DEI, and member education. His career reflects a lasting dedication to connection, craftsmanship, and purpose in food.