Your Food Bank Does NOT Need This Type of Food!
It’s the time of year when many of us donate food to a local Food Bank for the needy – and that’s great!
But there are some things you might not have thought of when it comes to donating non-perishables.
It’s not quite as simple as just putting a few tins in a box and giving it to the food bank.
Well, OK, it is.
But you can do SO much more good if you put a little thought into your food donation.
One of the most important things you can do is make sure you donate food that is nutrient-dense as well as non-perishable.
It Should Be More Than Just Filling
It’s not fair to think that people who struggle should “just be happy with what they get”.
Food donations should do more than just fill stomachs.
Food from a food bank should help people think better, sleep better, make better decisions, and even to help them stop relying on medications to solve underlying health problems.
According to Ruthi Solari, founder and executive director of SuperFood Drive, about 40 percent of those who need food donations already have one person at home with diagnosed diabetes, usually type 2. That number does not include those who might have pre-diabetes or undiagnosed diabetes.
That’s a huge number of people struggling with their health.
Make a Healthy Difference When You Donate
To make an impact, food donations need to be healthy, whole and nutrient-dense. So do NOT donate highly processed foods that contain unhealthy fats, sugar and a lot of sodium.
Even better (although it takes a small amount more effort), why not call the centre or food bank you’ll be donating to.
Ask them what they need most, and then donate those items in their healthiest forms.
Why should you find out that the food bank needs? Well, some centres and food pantries now partner with farms and other organizations that provide fresh fruits and vegetables. That’s really cool – but it means that canned fruits and vegetables sometimes sit on the shelves at food banks. So pay attention to the centre’s needs when you donate.
What Should You Donate?
Here are some suggestions for ideal items:
- Quinoa
- Amaranth
- Beans
- Lentils
- Brown rice (not white rice)
- Whole oats (instead of pre-packaged, pre-flavored oatmeal)
- Whole grain cereal (without lots of sugar)
- Couscous
- Canned tuna
- Canned salmon
- Nut butters
- Whole grain pasta
- Soups
- Heart-healthy cooking oils
- Spices
- Fruit (in its own juice, not in heavy syrup or high fructose corn syrup)
- Vegetables (with no sodium or salt added)
- Dried fruit (no sugar added)
The Foods You Should NEVER Donate
Remember to never donate these foods:
- Candy or Sweets (In fact, some food banks in the US have to throw it away and pay a dumping cost.)
- Heavily processed, fat-laden treats like cakes, pastries, danishes or cookies
- Macaroni & cheese
- Instant ramen
- Sugary cereals
Consider The Recipient’s Circumstances, Too
Also, think about the people who will receive your food donations. They may not be good cooks, they may not know how to prepare healthy meals from good ingredients.
In addition, they may have only a basic kitchen or kitchenette in their homes. They may not have a home at all!
Summary
Please DO donate food to needy people this year – but make sure it’s healthy food that will help them thrive, not just survive.
Make healthy food choices for your donations. Try to find out in advance what your chosen food bank most needs and then donate it in its healthiest (often whole) form.
Helping others is one of the best things you can do to live a green and eco friendly life – when you help others, you also help the planet!
Please share this post widely so that food banks get the food they need this year. Sharing buttons above and right.
What foods do you donate? Let me know in the Comments below!
Warm regards,
P.S. Don’t forget to download “Live Well, Live Green” for FREE here!
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