Top 5 Food Items to Donate

by TV Miskowski

Every year, millions of pounds of food are donated to St. Vincent de Paul's Food Reclamation Center, where the food is sorted, checked for quality, then distributed across dozens of shelters and dining rooms, and over 80 pantries across central and northern Arizona. That culminated in an average of 5,000 meals every day and nearly 200,000 food boxes over the course of the year, all leading to one simple conclusion: 

Food donations are really important! 

That's why SVdP Director of Community Drives Emily Radawec sat down to share which items SVdP needs most out of food drives and donations.

Canned Proteins

Protein is a crucial component of a healthy diet and items canned tuna an chicken can both be an easy part of any easy meal—and they don't have to be refrigerated to stay fresh, making it much easier to get to families. Peanut butter can be used for a snack or meal too, and other nut butters are a good option for families with kids with peanut allergies.

Cooking Essentials

Many people forget that it takes other ingredients to cook many meals. Flour, sugar, and cooking oils are all items that the food bank could use more of. 

Dried Grains and More

There are many nutritious foods that come in a dried variety that make a great addition to any food box. Rice and beans are a diet staple that can easily round out a meal, and dried milk lasts longer and doesn't need refrigeration, so it's sure to make it to those in need.

Other Canned Goods

While canned proteins are particularly in need, all the other types of canned foods are useful! Fruit and vegetables are full of fiber and help create a well-rounded diet, and soup is another delicious and easy meal for busy families. 

Snacks

Healthy snacks are something that the food banks always need more of. Granola bars, nuts, dried fruit and jerky are all snacks that can be taken on the go while also fuelling growing kids and busy adults. They're also a great way to supplement nutrients that can go missing in some meals, like fiber or protein. 

Things to keep in mind:

• Glass containers can break before they make it to a family in need. See if there's a plastic container available.
• Not every home has a can opener, so donate a pop tab variety if you can.
• It's  important to consider the items’ durability so that it makes it to the food banks without getting smashed. When picking out items, ask yourself if you think it could last at the bottom of a box.
• Gallons of water are not always the easiest to transport, but cases of waters can be spread to dozens of people.
• It's important that donations are sealed so that Food Rec knows the nutritional value, the expiration date, and that the food is fresh and safe.  
• Don’t overthink it! Someone will enjoy what you enjoy at home.