Abstract: Disclosed is an extruded plastic suitable for expansion to a foam packing peanut and a process for making the pellet and the peanut. The peanut comprises a discrete plastic body having a core portion extending continuously along the longitudinal extension of the body and an outer portion extending from and continuously along the core portion along the longitudinal extension. The body further has a blowing agent incorporated therein. In a preferred embodiment, the pellet takes on a generally helical shape. Also disclosed is a foam packing peanut formed by expansion of the pellet described above. Further disclosed is a package useful in transporting, storing, or cushioning an article or articles comprising a receptacle containing the article and a plurality of the foam peanut described above. The peanuts are capable of providing a packing factor of 3.0 or greater.