Title

Food Pantry Wish List

(FN1651, Revised January 2026)
File
Publication File:
Summary

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

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 first to be sure it can accept them.

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

Consider donating nonfood items such as can openers, cutting boards, paring knives or zip-top baggies.

Lead Author
Lead Author:
Julie Garden-Robinson, Ph.D., R.D., L.R.D., Food and Nutrition Specialist
Availability
Availability:
Web only
Publication Sections

Table of Contents

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