Canned Vegetables And Fruits
Canning has long been used to lengthen the shelf life of perishable foods, including fruits and vegetables.
The heat used during canning kills potentially harmful microorganisms, and the characteristic seal of canned foods keeps new bacteria from spoiling the contents .
The shelf life of canned fruits and vegetables depends on the type of produce.
For example, low-acid canned vegetables, including potatoes, carrots, beets, and spinach, last 25 years at room temperature .
On the other hand, high-acid fruits like grapefruit, apples, peaches, berries, and pineapple last just 1218 months. The same goes for vegetables packed in vinegar, such as sauerkraut, German potato salad, and other pickled vegetables .
When shopping, choose canned fruits packed in water or 100% fruit juice rather than heavy syrup, and opt for low sodium canned veggies whenever possible.
If youre crafty in the kitchen, consider canning at home using store-bought or garden-grown vegetables and fruits. If you dont know how, you can consult numerous books or online tutorials.
Meat preservation is a practice used since ancient times to keep protein sources from spoiling. Specifically, jerky is made by curing meat in a salt solution, then dehydrating it. Preservatives, flavorings, and other additives are sometimes used during processing.
Commercial jerky can be safely kept in the pantry for up to 1 year, though the USDA recommends that homemade jerky be stored at room temperature for a maximum of 2 months .
Places To Donate Food
There are food recipient organizations across the country. The following sites offer tools to help donors find nearby food banks, pantries, soup kitchens and shelters that may accept wholesome, excess food.
- Feeding America is a national network of food banks, individuals, national offices, and corporate and government partners working to combat hunger in the U.S. Use the Find Your Local Food Bank tool to locate food programs by state or zip code.
- Ample Harvest is a nationwide effort to educate, enable, and encourage gardeners to donate extra produce to local food pantries. Use their Find a Pantry tool to donate food you grow or buy.
- The Homeless Shelter Directory is a crowdsourced listing for people who want to find and donate food and/or supplies to their local shelter.
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Shelf Life Of Non Perishable Foods
The following tables give shelf life estimates for an assortment of foods. These estimates vary widely, depending on which reference you use, so we opted for more conservative estimates.
Start with the best by date, but use some common sense. If salt has been hanging around in the earth for thousands of years, it’s not going to go bad sitting in your pantry.
Do not use food with obvious signs of spoilage, like bad odors or bulging containers.
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State The Reasons Why You Need Food Donation And What You Are Looking Forward To Accomplishing
Explain to your donors why it is essential for them to support your project. And how their donation will make a difference in your entire project. This will give them a reason to participate in your donation. Offering your organizations history is a perfect way to connect with your potential donors deeply.
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Granola And Protein Bars
Granola and protein bars are a go-to food for backpackers and hikers thanks to their long shelf life and nutrient composition.
Many granola bars stay fresh for up to 1 year at room temperature. Likewise, most protein bars have a shelf life of at least 1 year, though its best to check the label on individual products for expiration information .
Whats more, granola and protein bars can be highly nutritious as long as you choose the right kinds. Look for brands that are full of hearty ingredients, such as oats, nuts, and dried fruit, and contain minimal added sugars and artificial ingredients.
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Describe Your Ongoing Event/ Campaign Or Project
Ensure that you describe your current event, campaign, or project. Ensure your description is clear and concise and include primary details, such as guidelines as well as dates. Moreover, how you begin your donation letter will positively impact your appeal. Thus, make sure you make it unique and interesting.
Give To Continuum Arts Collective Second Annual Giving Tree
NORTH BERWICK – Continuum Arts Collective is hosting its second Annual Giving Tree to provide free musical instruments, art supplies, and creative instruction for at least 100 lucky student artists and musicians in Southern Maine and New Hampshire this holiday season.
Last year, CAC assisted 135 student artists and musicians with free guitars, ukuleles, amps, keyboards, drums, brass, and wind instruments for musicians and art kits for preteen and adolescent student visual artists.
Students can apply for instruments and art supplies by going to continuumarts.org/apply. If approved, students and their families can pick up these materials at CAC headquarters in North Berwick, Maine, on Saturday, Dec. 17 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
CAC is accepting donations to support its giving tree at continuumarts.org/donate. All donations are tax-deductible. Every donation is acknowledged on social media, and an ornament with the donors name is placed on the giving tree.
Continuum Arts Collective is a 5013 nonprofit that assists working-class families and their K-12 student artists and musicians in Maine and New Hampshire by providing free musical instruments, art supplies, creative instruction, and experiences to flourish as creators. For more information, go to continuumarts.org or contact CAC Executive Director Martin England at martin@continuumarts.org.
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Families First And Goodwin Community Health In Need Of Gift Cards
PORTSMOUTH Families First and Goodwin Community Health are requesting gift cards for our patients and clients. Our staff works directly with clients to discern their needs and provide assistance. Your gift card donation helps us to meet our clients personal needs and remove barriers to living a healthy life. The following is a list of gift cards needed: $10 gas cards, to get to medical appointments $10 pharmacy cards, for medications or prenatal vitamins $20 Wal-Mart cards $25 grocery cards, for food and formula $25 Amazon cards, for necessities for people with limited transportation. To donate any of these items, please contact Lisa Zhe at lzhe@familiesfirstseacoast.org.
What Is Considered A Non Perishable Food Item
Non Perishable Foods are safe to eat for long periods of time without refrigeration. They are also known as shelf stable foods.
Some foods can last a few weeks to months on the shelf. Others can last for months. The longest last 10 to 20 years or more, such as freeze dried food or military MREs.
Note: In spite of some silly prepper shows might say, it is not recommended to live off of nothing but MREs for an extended period of time. They are nutrient dense, but can be hard on your guts.
A young reporter took the 21 day nothing but MREs challenge in 2016.
He wrote, I would alternate between vicious cycles of spending hours in the bathroom and then not being able to go at all.
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Potential Funding For Food Banks
Recycling Market Development Zone Loan Program. Food banks may qualify as a recycling manufacturer under the waste prevention category for CalRecycles Recycling Market Development Zone loan program. The loan can provide funding for working capital, daily operating expenses, equipment, such as trucks and refrigeration units, leasehold improvements, such as expanding an existing building, and real estate.
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Loan Program. Food banks may also be a part of an organics composting/anaerobic digestion project and the organics infrastructure project may qualify for CalRecycles Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund loan program, which can provide funding for equipment, real estate, and leasehold improvements.
There are additional funding programs that food banks may be able to utilize:
Northeast Iowa Food Bank
If you are moving from inside Iowa, or an area near northeastern Iowa, the Northeast Iowa Food Bank is an excellent choice for your food donations. The food bank serves 16 counties in the region, reaching out to an estimated 47,000 food-insecure citizens. This foodbank provides the food to 200 different nonprofits along with supplying its own service programs. It runs a garden to supplement the summer food it offers to the area.
How to donate food to the Northeast Iowa Food Bank:
Food can be dropped off at the Northeast Iowa Food Bank Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Simply go to the door labeled Food Donations. Check out its site to figure out the most needed items or items that it cannot accept. Northeast Iowa Food Banks address is:
1605 Lafayette Street
Waterloo, IA 50703
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Cat Tales Is Seeking Donations
SEABROOK Get to know Cat Tales Rescue is a local 501©3 nonprofit, dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of homeless felines. This past year, Cat Tales has rescued more than 900 cats, and over 1,000 were adopted in 2021. Cat Tales experienced a very busy kitten season in 2022. Just as they were hoping it was winding down, a large intake of even more youngsters occurred recently.
Currently, donations are needed to get the next 24 kittens fixed. Please visit: or, go to the website, www.cattalesnh.org. Your continued support is greatly appreciated. All animals deserve a safe and caring home. Cat Tales is working to achieve that reality.
However Some People In Our Communities Do Not Have The Access To Such Items To Make Meals For Themselves As Well As Their Families
So, you might be wondering what to donate to a food pantry? We are here to help answer that question.
The Gateway Region YMCA is a nonprofit, 501 charity dedicated to nurturing the potential of every child and teen, improving health and well-being, and supporting and serving our neighbors. We believe in giving back to our communities who do so much for us! In an attempt to give back, we encourage not only our Y members to give back, but also those people who reside in our communities. When you give back to food banks in your area, that action gives back directly to your neighbors, and makes an influence greater than we will ever know. After all, some people who attend food banks are going through hard times and might be ashamed to otherwise ask for assistance. You are not only helping out strangers but potentially friends and family, too.
You might be wondering what items to skip when donating. Taste of Home recommends what to not donate to a food bank, and that would be, junk food, items with glass or cellophane packaging, which can be broken in transit, things that need can openers or special equipment . Feeding America also mentions things not to donate to a food bank: items needing refrigeration, expired food, leftovers, food with packaging concerns, and baked goods.
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What Is The Best Canned Food To Donate
The Bienvenidos Food Bank is a program of the Northwest Family Assistance Center, a 501 C 3 Colorado nonprofit organization. FOOD DONATIONS. We gladly accept your donations of nonperishable and perishable food to help stock our pantry! For large donations or food drive drop offs, please call and arrange a drop off time at 303-433-6328. For general drop off items please
Where To Donate Non Perishable Food
United Way continues to collect non-perishable food items, heres how to donate
- Priceless IGA – Louisville Road 3170 Louisville Rd.
- Priceless IGA – Russellville Rd 1901 Russellville Rd.
- All 3 Kroger locations Barren County
- Houchens Southgate 619 S L Rogers Wells Blvd. Butler County
- IGA1242 S Main St. Morgantown, KY 42261 Allen County
- Sav-a-Lot 1407 Gallatin Rd. Scottsville, KY 42101 Logan County
- Priceless IGA113 Armory Dr. …
Here are 6 places where you can donate canned foods when you move
- Feeding America Food Banks. …
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Mvsb Annual Mitten Tree Drive
PORTSMOUTH/ROCHESTER MVSB is collecting donations of new mittens, hats, gloves and scarves for their annual Mitten Tree drive, now through New Years Eve. All items will be distributed to local school and nonprofits. MVSB will also match each item donation with $2 to local childcare programs.
Mitten Tree donations can be dropped off at any MVSB branch location. A complete list of offices and hours are available at mvsb.com/locations. The Banks matching donations will benefit the following local child and after school care programs in your area: YMCA of the Seacoast and the Rochester Child Care Center.
Limited Liability Protection For Donors
The Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act of 1996 encourages the donation of food and grocery products to nonprofit organizations for distribution to needy individuals. The Act exempts persons and gleaners who make good faith donations of food to nonprofit organizations that feed the hungry from liability for injuries arising from the consumption of the donated food.
Under the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act, the following food donation standards apply:
Persons and gleaners : Persons and gleaners, including qualified direct donors, shall not be subject to civil or criminal liability arising from the nature, age, packaging, or condition of apparently wholesome food that the person or gleaner donates in good faith to a nonprofit organization for ultimate distribution to needy individuals.
Nonprofit organizations: Nonprofit organizations shall not be subject to civil or criminal liability arising from the nature, age, packaging, or condition of apparently wholesome food that the nonprofit organization received as a donation in good faith from a person or gleaner, including a qualified direct donor, for ultimate distribution to needy individuals.
Donations of apparently wholesome food by qualified direct donors must be made in compliance with applicable state and local health, food safety, and food handling laws .
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The Best Foods For Food Donations
- Rowan University
- Wine School of Philadelphia
There are a lot of food drives during the holidays. What food banks need most is cash, but when the Scouts come knocking at your door collecting food or you’re asked to bring a non-perishable item as entrance to the schools holiday concert, food is in order.
NPR did a piece on the types of pantry staples that can help those who rely on food banks to build healthy meals. Food banks say the focus should be on on whole, unprocessed or minimally processed foods to help people create healthy meals. Instead of donating foods that are high in salt, sugar and highly processed grains, bring foods that are high in protein, healthy fats and whole grains instead.
Dried And Canned Beans
With a long shelf life and high nutrient content, dried and canned beans are smart non-perishable food choices. Canned beans can be kept at room temperature for 25 years while dried beans can last 10 or more years, depending on the packaging .
In fact, one study found that pinto beans stored up to 30 years were considered edible by 80% of people on an emergency food use panel .
Beans are an excellent source of fiber, plant-based protein, magnesium, B vitamins, manganese, iron, phosphorus, zinc, and copper. Whats more, they pair well with most foods and make hearty additions to soups, grain dishes, and salads (
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What To Donate To A Food Bank And What To Avoid
So, youre ready to donate food to your local food bank. Thats great! Whether youre starting a food drive or just planning to grab a few extra items for donation while out grocery shopping, there are a couple of things you should know about what you can donate and what food banks wont accept.
What food you CAN donate to your local food bank:
This part is pretty easy. Food banks accept dry and canned food donations. What does that mean? Basically, any food that is shelf-stable or nonperishable you can keep it in your pantry and it wont go bad. And remember, only donate food that hasnt reached its sell-by date yet. Specifically, food banks often need items like:
Thats definitely not an exhaustive list but it covers a lot of what food banks regularly need. Additionally, some food banks accept personal care and household items, since many families struggle to afford these items and they arent covered by other food assistance programs like SNAP.
If youre still stumped about what to donate, just look in your own pantry. Families struggling with hunger often cant afford the staples that we normally have stocked at home. So, check your pantry out and go from there. Even specialty foods like olive oil, dressings, or marinades can be helpful if they dont need to be refrigerated.
What not to donate to a food bank
Where can I donate food near me?
Items You Shouldnt Donate To Food Banks
As you compile your list, be sure to remember that there are certain items food banks are unable to take, like:
- Items in glass containers, usually because the glass containers may break easily and spoil the other donations.
- Opened items, as these cant be served or provided to individuals for food safety and contamination purposes.
- And while this one might seem obvious: expired items. Be sure to check those expiration dates!
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How Can I Help Three Square The Most
Monetary donations provide the greatest benefit we have buying power that allows us to do more with $1 than you might when you go to the store to purchase canned goods for a food drive. For every $1 donated, Three Square is able to distribute three meals.
Even if you have committed to holding a food drive, please consider the option of adding a fund drive or virtual food drive. Many individuals would rather write a tax-deductible check or make a donation online rather than picking up extra food at the grocery store for the food drive.
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