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Food Pantry Wish List (FN1651, Revised January 2021)

Use these ideas to help you choose healthful foods to donate to food pantries.

Julie Garden-Robinson, Ph.D., R.D., L.R.D., Food and Nutrition Specialist

Availability: Web only


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Compare Nutrition Facts labels to get the most nutrition for your money.

If you wish to donate fresh and/or frozen fruits, vegetables, meat or other perishable food items, be sure to contact the food pantry/distribution center first to be sure it can accept them.

Keep perishable items refrigerated or frozen to maintain their safety and quality.

Grains

Bran cereals

Bread

Bread or muffin mixes

Cold and hot cereals

Dry pasta noodles

Flour

Graham crackers

Granola bars

Infant cereal

Macaroni and cheese mixes

Noodle mixes

Oatmeal

Pancake mix

Popcorn

Rice and rice mixes

Shredded wheat

Whole-grain crackers

Vegetables

Baby food – vegetables

Canned tomato products

Canned vegetables

Fresh and frozen vegetables*

Spaghetti sauce

Vegetable juice

Vegetable soup

Fruits

Apple sauce

Baby food – fruit

Canned and boxed 100% fruit juice

Canned fruit

Dried fruit (raisins, etc.)

Fresh and frozen fruit*

Fruit leather made from 100% fruit

Dairy

Evaporated milk

Fresh milk, yogurt and cheese*

Infant formula

Instant breakfast drinks

Nonfat dry milk

Powdered milk

Shelf-stable (UHT) milk

Protein Foods

Baked beans

Bean soup

Beef stew

Canned and dry beans

Canned chili

Fresh or frozen meat, poultry and fish*

Nuts/trail mixes

Peanut butter

Pouched/canned chicken

Pouched/canned tuna or salmon

Spices/Herbs

Basil

Cinnamon

Garlic or onion powder

Oregano

Pepper

Other

Honey

Jelly and jam

Ketchup or mustard

Mayonnaise

Salad dressings

Sugar

Syrup

Vegetable oils

* Before you donate fresh or frozen foods, check that the facility has refrigerator or freezer storage facilities.

For more information about food and nutrition, visit www.ag.ndsu.edu/food

Filed under: food, food-preparation
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