Having a hard time deciding what foods you should donate to your local food bank? Here are some guidelines that may help you out. Contact the Health Unit or the individual Food Bank for more information on what to donate.
General Considerations:
- Donate foods that your family likes. Chances are other families like those foods too.
- Include healthier choices that are lower in fat, salt or that are higher in fibre.
- For children, donate non-perishable snack and lunch foods that are easy and safe to transport to school (fruit cups, juice boxes, granola bars, milk pudding cups, cracker and cheese snacks).
- Donate foods that contribute to healthy eating: grain products, vegetables and fruits, milk products, meats and meat alternatives such as peanut butter, baked beans or other legumes.
Food to Donate:
All non-perishable food items such as: commercially canned foods, dry goods (pasta, rice, crackers, cereals, etc). Fresh vegetables, fruit and meat ONLY if your food bank accepts these foods. Always check with your local food bank before donating perishable foods.
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Grain Products |
Include whole grain items in your donation! Dry pasta (including macaroni and cheese mixes); crackers (Triscuits,whole wheat, rice and soda crackers); hot and cold cereals; instant soup mixes/cups; pancake mix |
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Vegetables and Fruit | Canned vegetables; canned fruit or fruit cocktail; canned juice and juice boxes; tomato/pasta sauce; raisins or other dried fruit; extra fruits and vegetables from your garden if accepted |
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Milk Products |
Dry milk powder; milk pudding cups/mixes; hot chocolate mix; cheese spreads (ie. Cheeze Whiz) |
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Meat and Alternatives |
Canned fish (salmon, tuna); canned meat (ham, chicken, stews); dried or canned beans, peas and lentils; peanut butter |
- Donate foods that your family likes. Chances are other families like those foods too.
- Include healthier choices that are lower in fat, salt or that are higher in fibre.
- For children, donate non-perishable snack and lunch foods that are easy and safe to transport to school (fruit cups, juice boxes, granola bars, milk pudding cups, cracker and cheese snacks).
- Donate foods that contribute to healthy eating: grain products, vegetables and fruits, milk products, meats and meat alternatives such as peanut butter, baked beans or other legumes.
What NOT to Donate:
- Any perishable food that has not been pasteurized (ie. honey, milk, cider) or that comes from an un-inspected premise (homemade sausage)
- Foods that have been exposed to any possible sources of contamination (insect, rodent, chemical)
- Home canned foods
- Damaged store-bought canned foods (dented, label off)
- Food items that are out of date
- Open boxes or cans of food
Other Helpful Items:
- Baking supplies (flour, sugar)
- Condiments (mustard, ketchup)
- Jam
- Coffee/tea
- Salad dressings
- Cooking oils
- Baby food and infant cereals
- Infant formula
- Toothpaste, brushes, dental floss
For more information on Food Banks in Huron County contact the individual food bank or the Huron County Health Unit at 519-482-3416 or toll free 1-877-837-6143.
