Title

Food Pantry Wish List

(FN1651, Revised January 2021)
File
Publication File:
Summary

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

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