Enhance Donations Given to Food Pantries and Community Programs

Enhance Donations Given to Food Pantries and Community Programs

Community groups and social organizations often host food drives to fill food pantry shelves or to make food baskets for the holidays. By keeping a few simple tips in mind, you can enhance the value of the food donations you make. It is important to remember that donated food is most helpful if it is both safe and high quality.
 Make sure to check the dates on packages of foods that you donate. Many packaged items are marked with dates that indicate freshness. Some examples include:
 Quality or pack dates often designated on packages by the words “Better if used by…” and a date. Look for these dates on packaged mixes, cold cereals, peanut butter and increasingly, on canned items like fruits and vegetables. These dates mean that after the quality date, the food will begin to lose its flavor and may even develop an off odor.

Expiration dates, such as “Expires 2/15/09” or “Don’t use after 7/9/10.” Look for these dates on infant formula, baking powder and cake mixes. Do not donate foods that are past their expiration date.
 Home-canned foods that have not been handled by licensed food processors should not be donated.
 Due to the recession, some families are relying more on food pantry items to feed themselves. Donations of nutritious food can help families through what is for them a very difficult time. Donate foods that have a stable shelf life, are full of nutrients and are easy to prepare. Some good examples of foods to consider donating iare:
- Whole-grain, low-sugar cereals such as instant oatmeal, whole grain Os and bran flakes.
- Whole grain or enriched pasta and instant rice – either brown or enriched.
- Canned vegetables, especially those without added salt.
- Fruits canned in juice, unsweetened applesauce, 100-percent fruit juice and dried fruit like raisins.
- Spaghetti sauce and canned beans.
- Canned meats. Food pantries tend to receive a lot of canned salmon and tuna, so consider other canned meats like canned chicken and ham.
- Peanut butter.
- Reduced-sodium soups.
 The local food pantry in your community may also have special needs that you can help meet. Consider food pantries as part of year-round giving.
Source: Barbara Ingham, Food Science Specialist, University of Wisconsin-Extension and University of Wisconsin-Madison and Gayle Coleman, Nutrition Education Program Specialist, University of Wisconsin-Extension