Food pantries need our support to fight food insecurity and help seniors and impoverished families meet their daily food needs. But making a difference and giving a positive impact to members of your community also means you have to donate something healthy. To be specific, food banks need to stock their shelves with nutritious foods which volunteers can easily make into hearty meals.

So if you want to donate and share your blessings to the underprivileged, we invite you to continue reading as we’ll enumerate the kind of healthy foods you can donate at food banks in today’s article.

Why You Have To Donate Healthy Foods To Food Pantries

More often than not, people who choose to give back to their community will usually donate just about any kind of food without considering the nutritional benefits of the items they’re donating because they think that their act of kindness is already enough. But the truth is donating is not just about personal fulfillment because if you really care for the less fortunate, you have to give them food that will supply their daily nutritional needs.

So it goes without saying that donating healthy food items is the most humane act you can do to create a genuine positive impact in your community.

List Of Healthy Food Items To Consider Donating At Your Local Food Bank

According to Feeding America, here are some of the suggested healthful food donations you can give to your local food bank:

1. 100% Whole Grains

• Brown rice, wild rice, barley, and whole wheat pasta are complex carbohydrates which can be a good source of fiber and are more satiating.
• Whole grain cereals and breakfast cereals like rolled oats can provide clients with vitamins and minerals. Aside from that unsweetened oats and low-sugar cereals are also recommended.

2. Fruits And Vegetables

• Fresh produce is always recommended as it can be easily prepared and consumed within a day.
• – Low-sodium or canned vegetables in water like tomato sauce and canned tomatoes are good alternatives to fresh tomatoes and other vegetables.
• Lite syrup, canned fruits, and all-natural fruit juices can be a good supply of vitamin C.
• – All-natural vegetable juices are also welcomed for they are pack with vitamins and other nutritional ingredients.
• Dried vegetables and fruits with no added salt and sugar are also suggested.

3. Proteins

• Dried beans, chickpeas, lentils, and peas are good sources of low-fat protein and are also high in fiber.
• Canned meats provided they are canned in water and with no added salt (low sodium).
• Canned beans provided they are canned in water and with no added salt (low sodium).

4. Healthy Fats

• Peanuts, cashews, almonds, and other kinds of nuts are rich sources of protein and fiber.
• Nut butters are filled with vitamins and have omega-3 fatty acids to support heart health.
• Peanut butter or almond butter.

5. Dairy And Non-Dairy Products

• Fresh milk as it can be easily distributed to clients within the day.
• – Shelf stable milk, provided that it should be donated several days before the expiration date.
• Soy milk, almond milk, and other non-dairy products are also recommended for lactose intolerant food clients.

Check out Second Harvest of the Greater Valley today if you’re looking to donate to the needy.