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Original poster

To donate quinoa to the food bank?

233 replies

RaisinFlapjack · 08/12/2024 23:37

I realise there’s no way this won’t sound like the most guardian-reading middle-class question ever so I’m just going to own it.

i’m clearing out my cupboards before Xmas and I have a fair amount of in-date jars tins and packets which are taking up space.

Ibwas thinking of bagging it up for the food bank but while I’ve got some staples like tinned tomatoes and rice pudding which are more typically on the food-bank wish lists, some of it more along the lines of rocket pesto and polenta.

Is getting random bits like that at all useful for food banks or does it create a bit of headache or at worst get thrown out?

OP posts:
SaagAloopa · 09/12/2024 05:58

RaisinFlapjack · 08/12/2024 23:58

Thsnks - yes this is what I was thinking about. Is it just cluttering up the food bank shelves with stuff that isn’t very useful, or do they even chuck out stuff they don’t think people will want.

Show quote history

Yes I understood your question people are just wanting to have a go at anyone these days OP don't worry.

My local food bank has a list of items they want and Quinoa isn't on it. I think Pesto would come under pasta sauce? It depends if they are set up so everyone gets a standard box of stuff or if they are allowed to look at a shelf of "extras" or whatever.

RedRiverShore5 · 09/12/2024 05:54

Why is it middle class, they sell it in Asda.

RedRiverShore5 · 09/12/2024 05:46

O f course you can donate it, I don't like it myself but many do, isn't it like donating rice or spaghetti

EmmerdaleFan78 · 09/12/2024 05:43

We donate every payday and generally do the more common things. I usually put in some gluten free items as well because I read that food banks can struggle to get those. I always get squash as well. I remember my mum being so skint when I was a kid that she could hardly ever afford squash and I hated having water all the time. It just never really quenched my thirst 🤷‍♀️

marmaladeandpeanutbutter · 09/12/2024 05:27

It seems ridiculous (and snobbish) to me to assume that every user of a food bank prefers to subsist on white bread and chip.

MauveLeader · 09/12/2024 05:22

I believe its Jack monroe that taught people how to use a food bank. Don't assume that poor people cannot cook. They are just poor.

Mirabai · 09/12/2024 05:17

No ide but if you’re convened someone on Olio will definitely take it,

TheSilkWorm · 09/12/2024 03:57

I'm the kind of person that eats quinoa and I've got an unopened packet that's been in my cupboard for months. If you're also the kind of person who eats quinoa and you also have unopened packets in your cupboard then consider how likely it is that someone using the food back is going to want your quinoa. Somebody will, eventually, but most people won't. Donate it if you like, but there are much better options for the food bank volunteers to spend their time sorting out and use their storage space for.

GreenTeaLikesMe · 09/12/2024 03:23

OP, you'll never win on here. If you donate the quinoa without questioning, you'd be considered a clueless middle class person who is incapable of understanding that 99% of food bank recipients are in a bedsit with zero cooking facilities (apparently). If you ask whether it's a good idea, you'll be considered a clueless middle class person who does not understand that ACTUALLY ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE DO USE FOOD BANKS, YOU KNOW.

Willyoujustbequiet · 09/12/2024 01:36

Yes please donate it. It would go down well at our local one. All kinds of people fall on hard times.

Jebatronic · 09/12/2024 01:28

Please donate, coeliac sufferers and people with wheat allergies like a change from rice even when they fall on hard times. Free from foods are so expensive and are not just a lifestyle choice for many - it might be appreciated more than you think

needAnameBollox · 09/12/2024 01:17

I would donate it anyway.
My mum volunteers at a food bank. She says they would leave it out for a few weeks but if it was getting close to its best before date they would offer it to one of the volunteers and the volunteer that took it would donate a more desirable item in its place.

mathanxiety · 09/12/2024 01:08

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 09/12/2024 00:33

Quinoa is so easy to prepare - you just need a bowl, a kettle, and something to cover it with, so actually quite a useful thing if you don’t have access to full cooking facilities. I wouldn’t have a clue about polenta.

Polenta is pretty much the same except you boil it like rice.

mathanxiety · 09/12/2024 01:03

StormingNorman · 08/12/2024 23:47

Pesto is really useful - just add pasta and you’ve got a meal.

Quinoa is useful too.

Polenta is expensive to use because it needs a lot of stock, butter and seasoning to taste good.

You can boil it in water with salt, let it set, then fry it with garlic/ mushrooms/ onions/ peppers, or grill it with cheese on top..

Delphiniumandlupins · 09/12/2024 01:00

Dreamtickets · 09/12/2024 00:58

Give it away on Olio, I gave away my in date banana blossom and jackfruit.
But I would use the pesto!

I was just going to suggest putting your stuff on Olio, particularly if it's getting close to BB date.

IAmInTheBath · 09/12/2024 01:00

Yes please donate it - you will be helping someone like me 🙂

Dreamtickets · 09/12/2024 00:58

Give it away on Olio, I gave away my in date banana blossom and jackfruit.
But I would use the pesto!

Comefromaway · 09/12/2024 00:48

SmalllChange · 09/12/2024 00:40

Oh do turn it in 🙄

Reasonable would've been "Do you think my local foodbank might want some quinoa?"

But all the 'middle class Guardian reading' shit is what makes the OP sound a bit thick.

Like she thinks firstly no-one middle class would need a foodbank, and secondly like she thinks working class people don't eat friggin quinoa.

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Well I’m working class & the only person amongst my family who eats quinoa is Dd which she discovers on a residential at a posh school.

no one amongst my family would have a clue.

SmalllChange · 09/12/2024 00:40

ODFOx · 09/12/2024 00:37

It's a reasonable question. You are just being rude. There's no need.

Show quote history

Oh do turn it in 🙄

Reasonable would've been "Do you think my local foodbank might want some quinoa?"

But all the 'middle class Guardian reading' shit is what makes the OP sound a bit thick.

Like she thinks firstly no-one middle class would need a foodbank, and secondly like she thinks working class people don't eat friggin quinoa.

ODFOx · 09/12/2024 00:37

This reply has been deleted

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It's a reasonable question. You are just being rude. There's no need.

ComtesseDeSpair · 09/12/2024 00:36

The food bank I volunteer at also has a self-selection “others” shelf where quinoa and polenta would go, so whilst it might sit there for a bit it’s unlikely to be wasted: often if somebody asks for something we don’t have, we’ll suggest something else and quinoa and polenta could well be offloaded that way.

ODFOx · 09/12/2024 00:36

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 09/12/2024 00:33

Quinoa is so easy to prepare - you just need a bowl, a kettle, and something to cover it with, so actually quite a useful thing if you don’t have access to full cooking facilities. I wouldn’t have a clue about polenta.

Quinoa isn't difficult to prepare but it does need cooking. You are thinking of couscous.

Sonowimbackfromouterspace · 09/12/2024 00:36

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I just think it makes you sound a bit thick

That's nothing compared to how I think your post makes you sound.

SmalllChange · 09/12/2024 00:34

This reply has been deleted

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Judystilldreamsofhorses · 09/12/2024 00:33

Quinoa is so easy to prepare - you just need a bowl, a kettle, and something to cover it with, so actually quite a useful thing if you don’t have access to full cooking facilities. I wouldn’t have a clue about polenta.