Opinions please - types of food for Food Bank donation

[silverlib]

This is my first post in this group. Please bear with me, as I do not quite know where this post belongs, but since I'm working with a progressive, Christian Peace and Justice Group, I decided to ask this group for your opinions.

A couple of members of P&J have run across some material addressing the importance of healthy food donations, i.e., water packed tuna, canned fruit in natural juices, etc. to food banks and are suggesting we start marketing this idea.

We gather collections and donate food for a local food bank subsidiary in our neighborhood. I am concerned that if we start asking for healthier donations that are more expensive that the donations will go down and not as many people will be served. I also question whether it matters that tuna is water packed or oil packed when someone is hungry.

There are several sides to this issue and I would like to know your opinions before I support this idea.

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

[supernova]

1. Hmm... I think as long as the donations

are basically healthy and you get a good cross-sections of donations, I don't see what the problem would be. What I mean is if you're getting some of every food group and not just loading up on rice and spaghetti for instance.

I'm with you, about the water-packed vs. oil-packed tuna. If you are jonesing for calories, it doesn't matter. In fact the oil would be better because, depending on how bad a person's situation is, who knows when they might eat protein again. Protein and fat keep you satiated longer.

I think you have a legitimate worry about asking for better donations, though. Maybe the emphasis can be on secific things: If you're fine for canned tune and the like, maybe put out a call for produce? I think something like that would be more well-recieved than telling the community: "hey, the quality of your largesse is sub par."

No one likes to hear that when they are doing what they can, they aren't doing enough.

But, if you put out a call for specific categories of things, you might get what you need. It's all in the approach.

[silverlib]

2. Thanks for the quick response...

You have some very good points that I will take with me.

As you state, presentation is probably the most important thing.

It's unfortunate that we can't donate fresh produce - something about the health laws/issues. The main food bank can take a designated amount from local grocery stores and it falls into a category where people have to qualify for eligibility, along with fresh meat. The sub stations do not have qualification standards and are limited to dry and canned goods.

I think your point that we don't want to make anyone feel like they are not doing enough is very valuable.

Thanks again.

[supernova]

3. We have the same thing here

about limitations on fresh produce. I think nearly everything has to be in some kind of individual serve container now.

Last year, the county food bank had a problem with bins they kept things like bulk rice and flour in. They got infested and the food had to be thrown out.

Good luck with your project.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

4. How about whole wheat pasta and canned sauces with vegetables in them?

Organic applesauce. Some ethnic foods, depending on the ethnicity of your poor people: Mexican or Southeast Asian or African.

When I was a member in the 1970s, the New Haven Food Co-op served both the Yale community and a very poor neighborhood. It held classes in how to prepare nutritious meals on a low budget, demonstrating that fresh ingredients can be cheaper than prepared foods. That might be a worthy project for your food bank.

[silverlib]

8. Another good idea

The responses are really pulling ideas together. I appreciate everyone's input. If framed right, this can be an amazing and creative endeavor.

Thanks!

[RevCheesehead]

5. Make a special appeal for diabetics.

Need low-sugar, no-sugar items, etc. Also, the needs for those following special health-related diets. I think if you frame the needs in an appealing manner, people will be glad to help out.

[silverlib]

6. This is especially important

I work with mentally challenged/low income adults - probably 50% also are diabetics.

Thanks!

[RevCheesehead]

7. And many elderly are Type-2 diabetics.

My mom was just diagnosed with it about 2 months ago.

[CBHagman]

9. I think the main thing is addressing balanced nutrition.

I get the impression that food with a decent shelf life is an issue, and of course that means canned and packaged items.

But there's also the issue of getting enough good protein, fiber, and vitamins into the recipients' diets. Canned beans, fruits, vegetables, tuna, salmon, and the like ought to be encouraged as donations.

Basic principles of nutrition ought to provide guidelines, but I would find it hard, for example, to refuse donations of sugared cereal or syrup-packed fruit for needy people, and I would be cautious about focusing too much on the organic versus the non-organic or the water-packed versus the oil-packed.

Are the items merely picked up, or are they packed into containers for individual families or recipients? Does the center provide attention to the individual nutritional needs of the recipients, or do the latter simply choose?

[silverlib]

10. Answers

My understanding is that packages are assembled prior to pick up (based on individual/community donations and what they receive from the main food bank). There are families that pick up weekly, who have had the opportunity to disclose dietary needs/restrictions, if any. Generic packages are made or "walk-in." The walk-ins also have the opportunity to disclosed dietary needs.

I am leaning also toward not focusing so much on the organic versus non-organic and water packed versus oil-packed. I also have a hard time turning away food and with the perception, whether just implied or not, of criticizing donations from people.

Thanks for your valuable input.