Food banks: what isn't popular with users?

[PolkaDotMankini]

I'm just wondering whether certain items are more popular with good bank users than others. E.g. 500g bag of rice that you have yo boil on a hob vs sachets you put in the microwave? Do people take everything they're offered or decline some items because they're too hard to cook/they don't like them?

@AHobbit that's really interesting, thanks. Just demonstrates how each user has different needs so a variety of donations is good.

When I used to give physical donations, I always tried to give a decent packet of biscuits. I wouldn't want Tesco Value so why would anyone else?

Ours always says it has enough pasta, rice and sanpro.

It usually wants more tinned stuff (because it's very long life, you don't need a fridge, and some can be safely eaten cold straight from the tin if needs be)

I sometimes wonder what the foodbank thinks when I put in the other half of a BOGOF - I mean it's by definition an item I eat, but do sometimes wonder if I'm peculiar! Also like to include things that can go in kids' pack lunches (drinks in cartons, things like Soreen individual cakes) plus things that can make a limited diet more interesting, like hot sauces. Please be tactful if you want to tell me that I'm very wide of the mark!

I don't think food banks are "overflowing" with food its always a constant balance .

My local food bank is asking for toiletries, tinned meat and fish (including pre-made sandwich fillings), boxes of chocolates/treats, long life milk, vegan/gluten free items, cereal. Halal and kosher if possible.

My local is asking for: TINNED MEAT
LONG LIFE MILK (UHT)
LONG LIFE FRUIT JUICE
BISCUITS
JAM

I’m surprised by the tinned meat!

I volunteer at a community pantry I don't think we have noticed the other half of a bogof so we wouldn't comment carton drinks and lunchbox cakes are always popular

It does depend so much on who they are serving. Our local foodbank caters mainly for homeless or sofa-surfing single people, most of who are men and many with mental health problems. So they want easy-to-prepare traditional food for single people such as tinned stew. Others cater more for families that want things kids will happily eat.

Why are you surprised by tinned meat ? Its easily stored and doesn't need refrigerated.

We have no choice but to buy tesco value etc and always happy to receive tesco value biscuits etc. We get as far through thr month as we can without asking for a referral.
Although it does feel like a real treat when we get nice jams and biscuits etc. Certainly cheers us up a bit as it isn't something we could ordinarily buy.🙂

Our local food bank has said for years no beans and pasta please, have enough to last until the ends of time. Then this year they are.so short on everything they are even asking for that. I always aim to give things on their wanted list, plus things thst can easily be a meal.

Definitely this .

I'd think about the size of the products you are buying too as storage space can be an issue. Better to buy two x 250 teabags than one x500 teabags. That way they can help more people too.

@Mrsjayy probably because I’ve never eaten it, I grew up on a farm so we had our own & then I went vege. Im not from here so may also be cultural.

I'm surprised there's not more packets of dried soya mince. With tomatoes, garlic and onions it makes a good meal with pasta rice or potatoes. Suits vegans, religions etc. Can be done in microwave or on stove. I've used it on camping stove. I do read local facebook page.

Find my local Waitrose ludicrous because its donation bins tend to be after youve been to the till with no advice. Whereas my local one stop has stuff they know is requested just before the till and you can just add it to your shop and put it into the bin. Good on Morrisons.

Ah fair enough, it is popular though especially older men probably more convenient for them.

My food bank is happily taking our spare (including some of the better windfalls), but I did check by contacting them about it first, to make sure they could receive them. (I deliver direct at the nearest distribution point, not the supermarket). I've taken quite a few bags down there now.

They always seem very pleased, and say fruit is one of the first thing their customers ask for, so they don't have to store them for long.

Spare apples lol in case you hadn't guessed....

Our food bank produces a list of suggestions.

Basically generic/cheaper range products are preferred to make the money go further, they request 500g bags of pasta and rice as they cannot split bigger bags. They recommend cooking sauces rather than spices and pastes as they are easier if they have small kitchens. Rice pouches are popular but expensive so they suggest normal uncooked.

Protein is particularly needed, they recommend canned pies, ham, fish and beans.

@ValerieDoonican oh that’s interesting, I thought they never accepted fresh food donations. I’ll maybe contact mine directly.

@AHobbit

If they have dried lentils, the yellowy orange ones, you can turn a packet into so many portions of dal I highly recommend.

To make dal you do need extra ingredients but 500g is 20 adult portions of dal! For 4 adults I use 1 onion, garlic, ginger (I use frozen as it's cheaper), chilli (dried flakes is cheaper, fresh is lovely), and crucially turmeric, cheaper from world foods aisle/Asian supermarkets. Add water of course, covering and adding extra as needed. If you can afford it coconut milk can be used instead ( Lidl is cheapest). Top with fresh coriander if you can.

I worked it out that I can make dal and rice for 32p per person. Hearty portions

If it’s for school harvest festival I’d suggest something unbreakable that your child can carry easily and that they’ll hand over ok. Over the years I’ve been to a lot of school harvest festival services and watched a child trip over, drop the jar of curry sauce on the stone church floor and it shatter everywhere and I’ve also witnessed a reception child in tears because they didn’t want to hand over the special chocolate biscuits. I always just give mine a box of cup a soups to take.

Dried mash is really popular at ours. It gets chosen over tinned potatoes. I think it gets used for fish cakes and cottage pie: anything to bulk out the tinned meat and fish.

Ours always need toiletries, nappies the bigger size. Maybe those would be helpful rather than food. I know it is harvest but what they need is always better.

Food bank-using friend said tinned fruit in juice is always very welcome.

As are condiments/sauces to liven up basics.

And packs of individual carton juices/kids' drinks.

Dried pulses are disliked as they take too long to cook.
I would have thought the same about tinned pies but we can never meet demand for those: almost everyone seems to like them.