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.
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.
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 😅
Good idea!