The Best Foods To Donate to a Food Bank

I just got home from doing a little grocery shopping and the people were out in force! I guess everyone is already Christmas shopping!

 

So, the Season of Giving is already upon us and so I asked myself:

 

What are the foods that food banks need the most?

 

 I did a little research and found that most places agree that the following items are needed the most:

Canned fish such as salmon, sardines, tuna

Canned chicken and beef

Grains such as brown rice, quinoa, oatmeal

Low sodium or no salt added canned vegetables

Canned fruits in natural juice or no sugar added

Dried or canned beans

Canned low sodium soups and stews

Pureed foods such as sweet potatoes, pumpkin and applesauce

Shelf stable milk

 

Spices and seasonings

Olive oil and Canola oil

Honey

Seeds and nuts

Peanut butter and jelly

Popcorn

Fruit juice

Herb tea

Granola bars

 

Holiday foods like canned chicken stock, stuffing mix, yams, etc.

 

Since many food banks serve lots of children, child-friendly sizes are a help.

 

Items for children are needed, too - diapers, wipes, formula, etc.

 

Also, pull-top lids on fruits and individual and lunch size containers are helpful.

 

So, basically, anything you would like to eat. So, don't donate those old cans of hominy - what is hominy anyway?

 

Remember, the people you are helping have stomachs and tastebuds. Think quality, not just quantity!