Food Banks Ask Donors for Healthier Foods

Food banks ask donors for healthier fare

MILWAUKEE — The season of giving has started, with schools, churches and businesses kicking off food drives that have become annual holiday traditions. But many food banks are asking donors to think twice before dropping ramen noodles and frosted cereals in donation barrels.
Many commonly donated foods are high in salt, sugar or calories, making them poor choices for people with high blood pressure, diabetes and other diet-related health problems.
With more people turning to food banks and for longer periods of time, agency officials say they need donations but they'd like to see people give the kind of healthful and nutritious items they'd serve to their own families.

 By DINESH RAMDE

The Associated Press

The food bank

So what foods are healthful, in demand and inexpensive enough not to bust donors' budgets? Recommended:
• low-sugar cereal such as Cheerios or Chex
• peanut butter
• cans or plastic containers of juice (make sure it's 100 percent juice)
• canned vegetables, any variety, marked lite or low-sodium
• bags of pinto or black beans
• rice
• canned tuna fish
• and powdered milk fortified with vitamin D
Donors should avoid:
• Foods high in sodium, fat, oils or sugar
• Chips, candy, cookies and crackers
• Sugary beverages
• Items in glass bottles
• Items that are expired or in damaged packaging
The Associated Press