Ask Leah! The Ingles Dietitian

Sponsored: Donating to Food Banks

Sponsored: Donating to Food Banks

If you’re considering donating food items to your local food pantry, food bank or a shelter that provides emergency food supplies; start with a call to that organization or a check of their website or Facebook page for what food or other items they most need and can accept.

Generally, shelf-stable items are the easiest for them to accept, store and distribute. Please check before donating fresh or frozen products to make sure the facility is able to receive and store these items.

While canned and packaged shelf-stable food items should work for most; think about how you can donate foods that will help families make a meal. Some items you might not have thought about donating:

  • Shelf stable (UHT milk in tetra paks), canned or dried milk can be used with dried cereal, oatmeal, cream of wheat or to make macaroni and cheese or soups
  • Dried spices, herbs and seasoning blends to give more flavor to meats, proteins, beans and grains
  • Instant coffee and tea bags 
  • Boxed cake, biscuit, roll or bread mixes that can be made with just adding oil or water
  • Oil, sugar and flour for cooking and recipe use
  • Dish detergent and cleaning supplies 
  • Can opener, storage bags, utensils

Leah McGrath, RDN, LDN

Ingles Markets Corporate Dietitian

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