Non-perishable food for a well-rounded diet? (lemmy.blahaj.zone)

submitted 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) by Kit@lemmy.blahaj.zone to c/food@beehaw.org

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My neighborhood has a little free food pantry that I fill weekly. Problem is, I've been finding it difficult to provide a well-rounded variety of foods. Fresh fruit and veg are not allowed.

Any ideas for items I can stock? I try to keep each item under $2 to get the most bang for my buck.

My go-tos are:
*Rice.
*Oats.
*Beans, dried and canned (these usually go slowly)
*Baking mixes, flour, sugar, yeast.
*Canned veggies.
*Condensed soup.
*Oil.
*Evaporated milk.
*Condiments.
*Canned chicken, tuna, and salmon.
*Applesauce.
*Spices.

Thanks ahead of time for any ideas. Can't seem to get the formatting working on mobile but you get the gist.

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[-] dandelion@lemmy.blahaj.zone 6 points 6 days ago

Who are the main consumers of the food pantry? That will tell you a lot about what kinds of foods will or won't work. If a person has a kitchen, for example, it's a different situation than being on the street.

[-] Kit@lemmy.blahaj.zone 10 points 6 days ago

The vast majority are people living in low-income housing or halfway houses after rehab. There's only one unhoused individual that I know of who uses it.

A lot of single parents and young adults, some elderly folks.

[-] dandelion@lemmy.blahaj.zone 9 points 6 days ago

Spaghetti is pretty popular, maybe pasta and pre-made / canned pasta sauces would be welcome additions? I wouldn't overthink the nutrition, focusing on what is desirable / pleasurable is more relevant esp. with how fortified foods are these days. Maybe canned chili, boxed mac-and-cheese, hamburger helper, and other easy and tasty meals would work? Honestly I would just ask the people there what they like to eat and then stock that, if possible 😅

[-] ptz@dubvee.org 5 points 6 days ago

Honestly I would just ask the people there what they like to eat and then stock that, if possible

That might not actually be a bad idea if it's allowed by whoever runs the little food pantry. Basically a community "grocery list" with a note about fresh fruit/vegetables not being allowed (and any other limitations) and pen might be the way to go.

[-] Kit@lemmy.blahaj.zone 9 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

I run it. :) It's anonymous by design but I watch it from my window to see who's coming and going. I did put feelers out on the FB group and the most-requested item was canned meat, so I make sure to stock chicken / tuna / salmon / spam. I'm sure a lot of people don't want to publicly admit to using the pantry, though.

Maybe I could put a clipboard inside where people can write down their requests?

[-] remington@beehaw.org 8 points 6 days ago

Maybe I could put a clipboard inside where people can write down their requests?

How about something a little more private? Let's say a 'Request Box' where they can grab a card, check boxes of things they want with a blank write-in area to cover what's not on the card.