Staying Fit
Getty Images
Donate Smart, Donate Healthy
Food pantries desperately need donated groceries to help struggling seniors and families, but some things just don’t make the cut. Take, for example, the 440 pounds of candy the Manna Food Center in Gaithersburg, Md., was given last fall by dentists off-loading sweets turned in by kids during a Halloween campaign to help them cut back on cavities. The organization threw it all away. What's needed are nutritious products that clients can easily turn into hearty meals - like these items.
AARP Membership— $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal
Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine.
1. Fresh food
“This is the No. 1 item most food pantries and meal prep agencies want more of,” says Amy Bachman, procurement manager at DC Central Kitchen in Washington. The challenge? Fresh veggies, meats and fruits can be pricey and go bad quickly. Instead, think about a monetary donation. “If we had money to spend on fresh items to buy all year long, that would really allow us to provide the food people want,” says Umbriac, director of nutrition programs for Manna. Health benefit: Veggies provide a heap of nutrients, and they can be prepared several different ways, as a salad or snack, raw or cooked, says dietitian Sherene Chou with L.A. Kitchen in Los Angeles.
2. Dry or low-sodium canned beans
Black, kidney or garbanzo beans are good as a side dish; to toss into salads, soups or stir-fries; or to wrap in a tortilla. Just be sure to check the expiration date before you donate it. “Don’t give expired canned goods, as most agencies won’t give them out,” Bachman says. Health benefit: Beans are high in minerals and fiber, and are a good source of protein without the cholesterol and fat.
3. Brown rice or whole wheat pasta
These two are whole grain winners because they’re easy to store, and a little goes a long way for individuals and families. Just a half-cup serving can keep the tummy satisfied. Compared with white rice, brown rice is definitely better nutritionally, Umbriac says. Health benefit: “Research shows whole grains may help keep body weight down [and] prevent diabetes, heart disease and some cancers,” says Washington dietitian Katherine Tallmadge, author of Diet Simple.
More From AARP
Quiz: How Does Hunger Affect Aging Adults?
Test your knowledge of the problem
Recommended for You