National Butter Day

Celebrated on 11/17/2026

Quick Fact

National Butter Day is celebrated annually on November 17th, but did you know that the average American consumes about 5.6 pounds of butter each year? Butter has been a staple in human diets for thousands of years, with evidence of butter-making dating back to 2000 BC in ancient Africa and Europe. Interestingly, the largest butter sculpture ever created weighed over 5,000 pounds and was displayed at the 2018 New York State Fair.

Origins and Establishment of National Butter Day

National Butter Day was established in 2013 by the American Butter Institute, a trade association representing butter manufacturers and marketers in the United States. The date November 17th was chosen to coincide with the start of the holiday baking season, when butter usage peaks. The goal was to promote the nutritional benefits and culinary versatility of butter, as well as to support dairy farmers and the butter industry.

Evolution and Modern Commemoration

Since its inception, National Butter Day has grown in popularity, with food bloggers, chefs, and dairy companies using social media to share butter-centric recipes and facts. The holiday is now recognized by various food organizations and is celebrated through cooking demonstrations, butter-tasting events, and promotions at grocery stores. In recent years, the day has also been used to highlight the differences between butter and margarine, emphasizing the natural qualities of real butter.

Facts & General Observations

• The United States produces over 2 billion pounds of butter annually, with Wisconsin being the leading butter-producing state.
• Butter consumption in the U.S. has been rising steadily since the early 2000s, reversing a decades-long decline due to concerns about saturated fat.
• The oldest known butter was found in an Irish bog and is estimated to be over 5,000 years old.

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