Good Items to Put Into Food Baskets
- Canned soups, fruits and vegetables are valuable contributions to a food basket. They contain nutritious food that is well preserved, unlike fresh foods. People suffering from hunger insecurity often can't afford fruits and vegetables, which are expensive. Canned foods help them have a well-rounded diet.
- Dried foods like pasta, rice and legumes last a long time, provide energy and make a person feel full sooner than other foods. They also expand, so small quantities turn into larger portions when cooked. In addition to contributing to a wholesome diet, dried legumes and grains lower the risk of medical complications. Legumes help prevent diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease, and whole-grain foods reduce risks of stroke, diabetes, heart disease, asthma and high blood pressure. Other dried foods, like powdered milk, also go farther and last longer than their fresh equivalents.
- Stores often sell food kits, like macaroni and cheese or other pasta kits, which contain everything needed for a meal, once water or milk is added. These kits are good for food baskets because they don't need to be complemented by other ingredients. A family can eat a meal by simply mixing the boxed ingredients together and adding water or milk as required. Avoid getting kits, like tacos, that require meat to be added unless you know the food pantry or charity can provide meat as well. Otherwise, the family may be unable to use the kit.
- Food insecurity is closely linked to poverty, and it is likely that families suffering from hunger rarely enjoy treats. Although healthy food is the priority, wrapped treats like candy bars or cookies give a special touch to the food basket.
- If you are contributing to a seasonal food basket, specific foods might be requested or appropriate. Many children probably wouldn't have Easter candy if it didn't come in an Easter food basket. Boxed stuffing or a turkey could be given for Thanksgiving, and fruitcake or eggnog would be a special treat for Christmas.
