Nutrition Guidelines

With chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and obesity on the rise, we take seriously our role in providing the best nutrition possible. In order to focus on getting the most nutritious foods possible to our member agencies, we discourage the donation of:

• high-fat snack foods
• dessert-type foods
• sugar-sweetened beverages, such as sodas, energy drinks and sports drinks

We encourage the donation of:

• Fresh fruit and vegetables
• Canned vegetables with no salt added or low sodium
• Canned fruit in water, 100% juice or light syrup
• Whole grain and whole grain-rich foods, including oats, brown rice, bread, pasta and cereals
• Lean protein foods, low in salt and fat whenever possible