If you are giving to a food bank this holiday season, and want to make your donation count, health officials have put together a Christmas list.
"The variety and quality of foods provided can make a big difference to the health of those in need," said officials at the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, which put together the wish list. "What's more, not all food banks are the same. For example, some have a fridge or freezer, whereas others do not."
Health officials consulted with food banks, and the list includes some non-food items that those less fortunate need.
Here is a list of healthy items you might consider donating:
* vegetables and fruit * lower sodium canned vegetables * pasta sauce * soup * 100 per cent vegetable cocktails * canned fruit packed in water or 100 per cent juice * applesauce without added sugar * fruit cups without added sugar * whole grain rice, pasta, quinoa, barley * cereal with at least 3 g of fibre per serving * cream of wheat and other hot cereals * crackers * powdered skim milk * canned unsweetened evaporated milk * UHT fortified soy, almond, or rice beverages * UHT milk * canned fish * canned beans, chickpeas, and lentils * canned meat * peanut butter or other nut butters * nuts and seeds
At food banks that have a fridge or freezer to store donations:
* lower-fat cheese * lower-fat yogurt * milk * fortified plant-based refrigerated beverages like soy, almond, or rice * eggs * fresh or frozen meat
Also always in demand at food banks:
* baby food * diapers * wipes * feminine hygiene products * shampoo * soap * deodorant * toothpaste and toothbrushes * toilet paper * kleenex
Health officials said whenever considering a donation to a food bank, the donor should ask themselves, "would I eat this myself or feed it to my family?"
