There's a food bank in my neighborhood, and I can't help but notice that the line there seems to be growing. In fact, food banks around the country are reporting seeing more clients in recent years, many of them first-timers who have run out of benefits due to long-term unemployment.
When I've donated food in the past, it's usually the result of cleaning out my own kitchen. I try to do this pretty regularly now, especially after I learned about how much food is wasted in this country. The EPA estimates that U.S. households throw out about 14 percent of the food they purchase -- more than 470 pounds of food a year per family. It doesn't help that "use by" and "best by" dates for nearly all food items (excluding federally regulated infant formula) are just manufacturer suggestions for peak quality. A full 20 percent of food waste results from consumer confusion over these terms.
Wasted food is an environmental issue, too. About 25 percent of the fresh water and 4 percent of the oil consumed in this country goes into food that never gets eaten, according to OnEarth's Laura Wright Treadway.
Even those of us with the best of intentions end up wasting a lot of food. When I go through my kitchen, I find I've over-bought things, like the time I kept thinking I was out of peanut butter and bought it three weeks in a row. I also find food that I realize I won't be able to use before the expiration date. By doing a regular spot check of my fridge and pantry, I can get food to someone who needs it rather than tossing it in the trash.
This year, I'm hoping to donate healthier foods, such as brown rice, quinoa, and whole wheat pasta instead of white pasta and white rice. I look for lower-sodium and organic canned soups and stews. I also try to avoid bisphenol-A contamination (BPA, used in can liners, is a hormone-disrupting chemical that can leach into food) by choosing BPA-free cans and glass containers (where accepted), especially for acidic foods like tomatoes. Dried beans are a good choice, too.
Lastly, I'm thinking of just handing over some cash. It turns out that most food banks are able to stretch my dollar much farther than I can. Food banks report being able to buy 5 to 15 pounds of food for every dollar, and a cash donation helps them get exactly what they need. My mom volunteers at the food bank in my hometown, which I never knew existed until this year. She says that during holidays, her food bank often uses the money to buy hams or turkeys for families.
If you're looking to donate and support locally sourced foods, City Harvest here in New York City takes leftovers from farmers' markets and distributes them to needy families. Some pantries will accept donations of food from your garden, too.
Are you participating in, or organizing, a food drive, or giving to a food pantry this year? Please share any tips or suggestions you have for helping out food banks in your area.
Image: Nerrisa's Ring
