To think if you rely on a food bank you may need to compromise your vegan principles?

[LondonUnited]

I’m a supporter of our local food bank and am on their mailing list. I received an email earlier to say that they were supporting a vegan family and were therefore asking for specific food donations, including Oatly oat milk, various nuts and seeds, specific types of beans, etc etc.

I may get flamed for this but I couldn’t help thinking that - allergies aside (and I have a milk allergic child so I do get it) - if you need a food bank to feed your family, you might need to compromise on diet slightly? For a start, Oatly Barista is lovely and all that, but Aldi or Asda oat milk is also ok and half the price. And that the odd bit of tinned fish may be easier to access from a food bank than Brazil nuts and chia seeds...

[FAQs]

You are not being unreasonable re brand names but you are re the fish.

[ilikebooksandplants]

Poor people are allowed to make choices too, OP. Catch a grip of yourself.

[ShebaShimmyShake]

I hate it when 21st century peasants don't act like 15th century ones.

[Boshmama]

Surely this is a new low 'poor people can't have morals'

Just wow.

[Inthebleakmidwinteriwouldsing]

To be honest I agree with you. I don’t mean that they should eat animal products, but yes there are plenty of healthy vegan foods that are less pricey.

Then again it’s not a bad idea for them to give suggestions; a lot of people wouldn’t have a clue what vegans eat.

(DP has just been advised to move to a vegan diet for health reasons; it’s not always due to ‘principles’ or the like.)

[lljkk]

I'm really on the fence but think I'm leaning towards yabu. You wouldn't object to request for Halal donations I suspect. I don't think it's unreasonable for bank/family to ask. Would be unreasonable if the family got snooty after they never got anything to their liking.

I reckon the food bank will actually buy stuff to accommodate them, but .. potatoes & chickpeas & broccoli are all vegan, cheap & would make a nutritionally complete diet. So no need for chia seeds or oatmilk. Those are just the nice extras if someone is inspired to help. People help because they like helping, maybe someone would like helping the vegan household.

[Polnm]

@ilikebooksandplants

Poor people are allowed to make choices too, OP. Catch a grip of yourself.

So is it ok to ask only for Heinz baked beans or durum wheat pasta?

[frazzledasarock]

Yabu about the fish comment.

Otherwise I do think brands aren’t going to be the main thing when feeding your family using a food bank.

However I always try and donate foods that I’d eat/drink when donating eg Yorkshire tea.

I can’t help feeling, but there for the grace of God...

Donate whatever you’re able. I wouldn’t spend too much energy thinking about it.

[Posturesorposes]

Oh gosh. Those poor people daring to have dietary preferences. Shocking.

[DimidDavilby]

Ah yes, poor people should not be allowed ethical choices. Definitely not. How dare they. Beggars can't be choosers after all! Now eat your gruel.

[Inthebleakmidwinteriwouldsing]

You wouldn't object to request for Halal donations I suspect.

Excellent point.

[Polnm]

@Posturesorposes

Oh gosh. Those poor people daring to have dietary preferences. Shocking.

Oatly milk isn’t a dietary preference it is a Brand name item, lots of cheaper varieties available

[LondonUnited]

It’s not about morals though is it? But making expensive choices funded by other people? In an idea world I would get all my food from M&S but I can’t afford it, so I don’t. Or I buy the cheaper oat milk and soya yogurts.

Also, if the food bank is funding this then that surely means they have less money available to feed other families?

[CoronaConundrum]

At the point someone needs help from a food bank they really, more than ever need to be able to have some choice over their food

[ilikebooksandplants]

@Polnm yes. It is 100% ok for people to ask for the brands they like. The food bank can request items that are appropriate for their users tastes, lifestyle, religion and ethical considerations.

[latticechaos]

If you're able to support the food bank just be generous. If you can't be generous, leave someone else to do it.

I don't like all this 'you'll get what you're given' stuff.

[lljkk]

There is no way the food bank will spend a lot more on this family than they would on other families. They are just finding a novel angle to pique interest in how to help others.

[Magicbabywaves]

Well they could certainly have cheaper oat milk.

[Muggly]

therefore asking for specific food donations, including Oatly oat milk, various nuts and seeds, specific types of beans, etc etc.
Is it definely the family making these specific requests or has someone googled about vegans or ask them what they usually eat rather then them actually requesting it?

But yabu by thinking they should eat tinned fish when they're vegan

[TheHappyHerbivore]

YABU about the fish. Veganism is a deeply held and important belief for some people, and it would be very painful to them to start eating animals, especially when things are tough anyway.

We shouldn’t have the attitude that people relying on food banks should be grateful for whatever they’re given, even if totally unsuitable for their diets or beliefs. The existence of food banks is evidence of a broken economy where work doesn’t pay people enough to live. We should be willing to offer people the help they need under these circumstances, not the help we feel they deserve or are owed.

So I personally have no issue with food banks specifically indicating what they need to help particular people, and I don’t think people in distress should be required to give up important personal values because someone donating to a food bank thinks they should be grateful for a tin of fish.

[Sunnyrainshowers]

I agree with you op. You can be vegan on a budget

[Polnm]

[quote ilikebooksandplants]@Polnm yes. It is 100% ok for people to ask for the brands they like. The food bank can request items that are appropriate for their users tastes, lifestyle, religion and ethical considerations.[/quote]
So it is reasonable/practical for everyone at the food bank to request set brands?

[1Morewineplease]

I just donate what I think. I don't donate specifically for vegetarians/vegans/kosher/halal.

Most people eat meat , gluten, dairy etc... so I donate accordingly . I feel pretty sure that vegans/vegetarians/ halal eaters etc... will also donate accordingly.

[Inthebleakmidwinteriwouldsing]

Also, if the food bank is funding this then that surely means they have less money available to feed other families?

That’s neither here nor there really. The aim is to ensure that everyone is fed (ideally in line with their needs, beliefs and preferences). Some people will cost more per head, others less. As a veggie it doesn’t affect me if another family’s chops cost more than my lentils.