Food pantry donation debate: taste or nutrition?

[NotUrsula]

So, at this time of year there are food drives all over the place, and last night I was shopping and added some things to my cart for donating. In doing so, I followed the "wish list" given to me by OFS, and as I was buying these things, I thought about the "healthy food vs. picky eater" thread that is current here. Most of the things that the pantry was requesting were not the sort of thing that the more health-conscious among us would touch with a 10-ft. pole, and it got me thinking about the ethics of the whole situation.

So, when you buy donations for a food drive, do you buy what the drive wants even if you think it is junk food, or do you buy things that you think that the folks who are getting this food should be eating? Do you take special dietary requirements into account when you buy, such as making it a point to contribute lower-salt canned soups instead of the regular ones? Or do you look at it in terms of bang-for-the-buck, in that you have a limited amount you can afford to contribute, and you want to feed as many mouths as you can for that money, even if the food isn't the most nutritious choice? Do you think about giving what the clients are likely to actually enjoy, or are you thinking that food is food and that those who are up against the wall shouldn't want to be choosy?

I guess that in my own case I kind of split the difference. One of the main factors that I take into account is ease of preparation, because the poorest among us are less likely to have fully-equipped kitchens, so open-heat-and-eat is usually my primary selection criteria. Most of the time when I follow the list I'm more of a bang-for-the-buck kind of contributor, but I do try to at least be a little conscious of flavor and ingredients; for instance, if the cheaper store brand is a salt bomb as compared to the name brand, I try to make the better nutritional choice as long as the price difference isn't more than about 30%.

(As a side note, something else that occurred to me was to wonder why we never seem to have kitchen goods drives along with the food drives. If nothing else, shouldn't we be tossing in a few can openers and saucepans among all that canned food?)

 

[happygirl]

So, at this time of year there are food drives all over the place, and last night I was shopping and added some things to my cart for donating. In doing so, I followed the "wish list" given to me by OFS, and as I was buying these things, I thought about the "healthy food vs. picky eater" thread that is current here. Most of the things that the pantry was requesting were not the sort of thing that the more health-conscious among us would touch with a 10-ft. pole, and it got me thinking about the ethics of the whole situation.

So, when you buy donations for a food drive, do you buy what the drive wants even if you think it is junk food, or do you buy things that you think that the folks who are getting this food should be eating? Do you take special dietary requirements into account when you buy, such as making it a point to contribute lower-salt canned soups instead of the regular ones? Or do you look at it in terms of bang-for-the-buck, in that you have a limited amount you can afford to contribute, and you want to feed as many mouths as you can for that money, even if the food isn't the most nutritious choice? Do you think about giving what the clients are likely to actually enjoy, or are you thinking that food is food and that those who are up against the wall shouldn't want to be choosy?

I guess that in my own case I kind of split the difference. One of the main factors that I take into account is ease of preparation, because the poorest among us are less likely to have fully-equipped kitchens, so open-heat-and-eat is usually my primary selection criteria. Most of the time when I follow the list I'm more of a bang-for-the-buck kind of contributor, but I do try to at least be a little conscious of flavor and ingredients; for instance, if the cheaper store brand is a salt bomb as compared to the name brand, I try to make the better nutritional choice as long as the price difference isn't more than about 30%.

(As a side note, something else that occurred to me was to wonder why we never seem to have kitchen goods drives along with the food drives. If nothing else, shouldn't we be tossing in a few can openers and saucepans among all that canned food?)

I just usually give what the shelter is asking for. I figure they know what most people want and like and will use. I would try to keep as simple as possible.

 

[cornflake]

Interesting question. I've never seen a human food drive ask for specific stuff - the ones I've seen here only request so far as like 'non perishable,' and I usually add duplicates of staple-type stuff I'd buy or general stuff (pasta, jarred sauce, beans, rice). The pet drives tend to ask for more specific but even that is like wet food vs. blankets vs. litter or toys, not types of stuff.

 

[tlbwriter]

So, when you buy donations for a food drive, do you buy what the drive wants even if you think it is junk food, or do you buy things that you think that the folks who are getting this food should be eating? Do you take special dietary requirements into account when you buy, such as making it a point to contribute lower-salt canned soups instead of the regular ones? Or do you look at it in terms of bang-for-the-buck, in that you have a limited amount you can afford to contribute, and you want to feed as many mouths as you can for that money, even if the food isn't the most nutritious choice?

All of the above.

First, of course, it has to be non-perishable, so that eliminates things I'd love to provide like fresh fruit and veggies, or even frozen veggies, which are generally more nutritious and often tastier than canned.

The "bang for your buck" factor is important to me, so I buy generic if possible. I hope it doesn't sound elitist to say that I'm sure most hungry people would rather have two jars of cheap spaghetti sauce than one jar of a more expensive brand.

Do you think about giving what the clients are likely to actually enjoy, or are you thinking that food is food and that those who are up against the wall shouldn't want to be choosy?

Well, they have the right to be choosy, but that doesn't mean they have the option to be choosy. Also, some people enjoy things that I really don't care for. So I just give what I can give and hope that someone likes it.

 

[dngnb8]

Just about anything has a nutritional value of some sort. Give what you can is my opinion.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

I'm very curious as to what was on the list of requested items

When making donations I try to go for versatility & usability and then things like what is the most bang for the buck & most nutritious.

 

[happygirl]

http://ozarksfoodharvest.org/HolidayMostNeededHandout.pdf

This is a list of needs our local food shelter has

 

[NotUrsula]

Interesting question. I've never seen a human food drive ask for specific stuff - the ones I've seen here only request so far as like 'non perishable,' and I usually add duplicates of staple-type stuff I'd buy or general stuff (pasta, jarred sauce, beans, rice). The pet drives tend to ask for more specific but even that is like wet food vs. blankets vs. litter or toys, not types of stuff.

Here is the "wish list" that is given out in my area by Operation Food Search. Of course, they will accept any nonperishable food that is not past expiration, but these are the items in highest demand:

Canned Meats
Peanut Butter
Canned Fruits
Canned Soups
Rice Products
Dry Pasta
Canned Vegetables
Complete Meals
Juices
Hot & Cold Cereal
Baby Food/Diapers
Toiletry Items

I guess the operative question is when they ask for canned vegetables, do you buy corn, or do you buy chickpeas, knowing that chickpeas are more nutritious, but corn is more likely to be eaten by more people? Same with things like lima beans and beets; nutritious, but not very popular. (Though I'm big on beets, I marinate them in wine vinegar and onions and eat them cold.)

One thing that I always give when boxed meals are asked for is Tuna Helper. I don't like the stuff myself (bad college roomate memories), but these drives get tons and tons of canned tuna, and it adds another way to prepare it that doesn't require a lot of extra ingredients that you can't usually find at food pantries.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

My church's food pantry is right now asking for peanut butter, canned soup, and dry milk. Not junk food, although peanut butter does have a fair amount of sugar and saturated fat, it's still a good cheap and nonperishable source of protein. Canned soup - does have sodium and some people are up in arms about chemicals from canned goods in general, but at least can be packed with vegetables. Dry milk - nonperishable calcium and protein.

BTW, when they put out requests, they will of course take any donations you want to give, but the requests are for things they are either low on, or typically need a lot of.

 

[cornflake]

Here is the "wish list" that is given out in my area by Operation Food Search. Of course, they will accept any nonperishable food that is not past expiration, but these are the items in highest demand:

Canned Meats
Peanut Butter
Canned Fruits
Canned Soups
Rice Products
Dry Pasta
Canned Vegetables
Complete Meals
Juices
Hot & Cold Cereal
Baby Food/Diapers
Toiletry Items

That seems like a pretty generic and useful list - I forget stuff like toiletry items when I think food drive and obviously it'd be needed. I thought you were going to say they were asking for pop tarts or specific brands of chicken nuggets or something.

The kitchen drive thing is also a good idea - that's a reason there's a specific charity I like (Mercy Corps) that mostly does international stuff; when they go into areas after a disaster like the tsunami or whatever, they don't bring only food, they bring small kitchen kits (a pot, spoons, cups/bowls) in bulk because giant sacks of donated rice and grain aren't helpful if there's nothing to cook it in.

Not that people here using pantries are in the same spot but same idea... and people in shelters and such, as you point out, may not have access to basics.

 

[dngnb8]

Most lists are based on shelf life.

 

[castmemberb4]

I don't really have an opinion on the food I just haven't given it that much thought. I have however wondered about the kitchen stuff issue. I've been buying stuff for a niece who is trying to start a new household after leaving a bad relationship and there are so many little things you need.

 

[Mrs.Malone]

On their website our local food pantry says they're glad to receive any nonperishables in non-glass containers. I called and asked for specific recommendations and they said low-sodium canned goods and healthy items like dried beans and brown rice are preferred. Part of their work is nutrition awareness since the population they serve has alarmingly high levels of obesity-related illnesses.

 

[Nancyg56]

Our Church gets a list from the Emergency Aid center in town and publishes it about two weeks before the monthly drive. Some months there are cleaning products, some months there ate paper good. There is always a request for school snacks. I generally try to give what is asked for but I then add canned goods to what I give.

During the Holidays i will put seasonal items. I add flavored coffee in Fall and Winter, pumpkin, cake mixes and frostings, stuffing mix, cranberry sauce. That kind of thing. I figure if I like certain kinds of foods during a season others may want it as well.

ETA: I put in what I buy for my family. If I won't eat it I don't expect anyone else to eat it. If I am comfortable using it in my home I don't worry about donating it. I am not fussy about peanut butter so what ever brand I pick up I add that to the bag. I won't eat store brand tuna so that never makes it to my donation. I

 

[kiddo76]

If someone has a food drive, like boy scouts or whatever, I just give whatever I have in my cupboards, so it’s mostly nutritional. They came around the other day and I gave them 2 bags full of whatever I had more than one of. When I donate directly to the food pantry, I just give a cash donation. Usually, they can stretch that dollar further by buying in bulk than I can.

 

[Katy Belle]

A couple of weeks ago I went with my sons and their Boy Scout Troop and helped The Salvation Army with their food boxes going out to 900 families. They had food drives at all the schools, that just requested non-perishable foods. Because we were strong and able, our job was to unload the boxes of mixed foods from the schools, and sort it. It then went onto tables by types of food... the categories I remember...
corn and hominy,
green beans
,all beans that aren't green beans,
tomatoes and tomato sauce,
peas,
all other vegetables,
fruit and pie filling,
meats,
meals (canned pasta, etc),
soup,
dried goods( cereal, cake mixes, crackers, rice, beans, cookies,pancake mix, etc.)
Ramen noodles - there were so many that it was its own category.

The smaller kids were "box stewards" and they went down the line of tables and put in a specific # of each. I didn't do that part, so I don't know how many of each.

I do know that they were trying to put a "dessert" in each box. A cake mix, bag of cookies, something. I had never thought to donate anything like that! But I'm sure its a nice treat.

I don't buy much canned food for use at home. But for the food drive I usually buy canned meals, soups, and veggies. I will include cake mixes and canned frosting next year! Someone donated a whole box of Girl Scout Cookies, everyone was excited about that! There were no Thin Mints We joked that they are just too good to give away!

 

[leight]

Most of the lists I've seen posted are pretty standard around here too. Especially around the holidays the food banks often hand out a complete holiday meal box which is why they have some specifics suggested-and then they usually collect donated turkeys/hams or certificates for them to give out with the box of canned and packaged sides/desserts.

Since I've been couponing, I will pickup anything that is free w/ coupon or very lowcost so that I can donate it. Our local food pantry gives their patrons a list of what they can pick based on family size,etc and they basically 'shop' from the pantry's shelves. So I don't have a problem if it is something we don't eat since we are so picky- someone else might. I usually put together a bag of items from my pantry in the garage and drop it off every other month or so. Toiletries are always in need so if a different brand deoderant, toothpaste or shampoo than we use is free I'll get them to bring to the food pantry. Last month, my neighbors came around and handed a list of what they were collecting to put together full holiday baskets for Xmas dinners for needy parishners. I stocked up on canned green beans and corn when my store had bogos so was able to give them 10 cans each. Dh's company gives the option of a frozen turkey ever thanksgiving so we always donate it- the company gives it right to the food pantry to distribute to families the week before thanksgiving.

 

[AndreaDM]

I used to work in a women's shelter and there was a food pantry of sorts there as well. I just remember rows and rows of canned veggies, it seemed to be that was what most people donated, probably because they are cheap. They did get used yes, but they never went through all of them. Also around the holidays people would donate cans and cans of pumpkins, trust me, the women in the shelter were not the pie baking type. So, I try to donate based on what I saw them use the most, pasta & sauce, canned soups (especially chunky), tuna & helper, cereal, peanut butter and canned beans.

 

[kirstenb1]

I usually stop by Sam's Club and pick up a 6 pk of canned tuna, and chicken. They also have great prices on Campbell's chicken noodle or tomato soup by the case. Then I look for "nicer" stuff like Campbell's chunky soup on sale. Target has it 1.50 a big can this week, so I grabbed some of them.

One day I helped stock the food pantry. I'd always donated kid friendly stuff, like Mac N cheese, etc. They had a ton of it. But our pantry was really short on canned meats and stews, so now that's what I focus on.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

Around the holidays our food pantry gives out a ham or turkey and a dozen oranges, so they take special donations for those. I think families have to "order" it ahead of time.