Donating Food
Every year millions of tons of food is donated to food banks across the US. These donations come from various sources, including individuals, food drives, and grocery stores. This donated food is then redistributed to those in need. But, what is actually donated, and more importantly, what isn't?
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Below is information about common and uncommon food donations, what food banks look at when redistributing food, and national resource links to help lines, food bank locations, and other help.
The Run-down of Food Donations
Common Food Stuffs
- Canned goods: assorted beans, green beans, corn, and carrots
- Snack foods: individually packaged chips, cakes, and crackers, and peanut butter
- Cooking/Bulk materials: rice, flour, sugar, starch, oils, and baking soda/powder
- Boxed foods: pasta, rice, cake/bread/pancake mixes, single-serving meals, ramen, and cereals
- Canned soups: cream-of's, minestrones, and general soup types
- Seasonings: bullion cubes, taco seasonings, baking spices, and other spices
- Condiments: ketchup, BBQ sauce, dry ranch packets, and salsas/hot sauces
- Drinks: water, tea mixes, ground coffee, gatorade, individual juices, and sodas
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Just because these food stuffs are commonly donated DOES NOT mean they aren't extremely needed! All of these type of donations are able to be distributed to a wide range of people to supplement into their grocery bill/daily meal options and allows for a most constant stream of similar food groups to learn and experiment with.
Uncommon Food Stuffs
- Canned fruit: all
- Dairy or dairy substitutes: any boxed or canned milks, and any dairy products packaged with the intent to be room-temperature
- Canned meat: tuna, other fish, chicken, spam, and any meat that is canned without other food groups in it
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These food stuffs are rarely seen in donations, in part because they are more specific and more expensive for a smaller portion of food. Try to donate these items along with food that can be eaten without any other ingredients. Items that create meals together are great to donate BUT they may not be distributed all together to people, so full meals (like hearty soups) are great!
Advice on Donating Food
Donating food is always a worthy cause, but not every food item can be distributed after being donated. These items end up being tossed or composted by the food bank and take up time in the volunteer sorting processes. To reduce this time, here are a few things food banks look for when sorting donations:
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- Dented cans: A good measure of a bad dent is if the dent is on top/bottom of the can or when on the side, within one finger's width of the top/bottom lip.
- Rusted cans/molded containers: Rust and mold signals either the food container was in extreme humidity conditions or the contents of the can have turn acidic (in relation to rust). Either way, any rust or mold on the can with disqualify the can for redistribution.
- Opened containers: If a container of food is opened, the food inside that container is considered bad/contaminated. NOTE: A box of individual oatmeal being opened is fine as long as the individual oatmeal packets are not punctured, a container is the wrapping/plastic directly protecting the food from the outside world.
- Food without a label/nutritional table/expiration date on it: This mostly applies to individually packaged items, like oatmeal or applesauce packets. Food banks need to know what the food is, what is in it, and when it goes bad so when redistributing people do not get sick or have an allergic reaction to the food. Not every food bank will disqualify food items for missing of these, but it is good to make sure any packs of food are secured together.
- Expired food: Most food has a certain period of time after it's expiration date before it is actually considered bad (see this guide for a detailed list of actual expiration dates). That being said, try to donate canned/jarred/boxed food stuffs before or within 6 months of their expiration date, as it gives the food bank time to rotate food for distribution. Never donate fresh food that visibly looks bad (smells, is molding).
"If you can't feed one hundred people, then feed just one"
- Mother Theresa