When choosing what to donate to a food pantry or food drive please focus on whole, unprocessed, or minimally processed foods to help people create healthy meals. Instead of donating foods that are high in salt, sugar, and highly processed grains bring foods that are high in protein, healthy fats, and whole grains.
The best non-perishable foods to donate:
- Canned beans
- Dry beans
- Peanut butter or other kinds of nut butter
- Quick oats
- Canned fruit in juice, not in syrup
- Canned vegetables with no- or low-sodium
- Low-sodium soups
- Canned tuna in water
- Canned chicken
- Brown rice
- Quinoa
- Unsalted nuts
- Unsalted seeds
- Shelf-stable milk and milk substitutes
- Whole grain pasta
- Low-sodium pasta sauce
- Healthy boxed meals that don’t require additional ingredients.
- Canned stews
- Unsweetened applesauce
- Whole grain, low-sugar cereals
- Biscuit or baking mixes that require only water
- Canned tomatoes
- Dried fruits, no sugar added
- Honey
- Jerky
- Snacks for kids – juice boxes, granola bars, fruit snacks, goldfish or animal crackers, applesauce or fruit cups
Additional tips:
- Canned goods with pop-top lids are better than those that require a can opener.
- Avoid foods packaged in glass
- Be careful not to donate foods that are past the expiration date