Skip to main content

Healthy Food Donation Tips

« BACK to Community Toolkit

Choosing foods from the MyPlate food groups helps us all eat healthy meals each day

Fruit: Look for canned fruit packed in water or juice and dried fruit with no added sugar. 

Vegetables: Look for canned vegetables with "low-sodium" or "no added salt." 

Grains: Look for 100% whole-grain foods such as brown rice, whole-wheat pasta and oatmeal. 

Protein: Look for canned beans with "no added salt," nut butters, nuts and seeds, and canned fish in water.

Dairy: Look for shelf-stable milk, powdered milk or plant milks such as soy. 

Why each food group is good for us:

  • Fruits provide vitamin C, dietary fiber, potassium and folate.
  • Vegetables provide vitamins A and C, dietary fiber, potassium and folate.
  • Whole grains provide complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber, B vitamins and minerals.
  • Proteins provides protein, B vitamins, vitamin E, iron, zinc and magnesium.
  • Dairy provides calcium, phosphorus and vitamins A, D and B12.

Shopping tips for food donations:

  • Buy pop-top cans that are easy to open.
  • Include pantry staple items such as cooking oil and spices.
  • Include foods for special diets like kosher or gluten-free.
  • Avoid highly processed foods or foods with added sugar.
Was this page helpful to you?
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.