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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to not just buy the cheapest brands for a food bank

110 replies

suzzieanneba46 · 04/03/2015 12:34

My local food bank is asking for pasta. So as I'm a low carber I gave one packet of pasta suitable for low carb diet and three packets of de cecco as this is the pasta we usually have at home. I'm not sure of the quality of budget stuff so thought it would be best to get what o know is good. The woman at the food bank was a bit and asked why didn't I just buy 10 packets of budget pasta for the same price.

OP posts:

Branleuse · 04/03/2015 14:11

low carb pasta youd be better off keeping yourself than donatng to people with families needing foodbanks

emwithme · 04/03/2015 15:03

Like yourma when I give to the foodbank it's the stuff I'd eat/use - so value chopped tomatoes/kidney beans/tinned corn, own brand pasta (not value, I've found that turns into glue if you're not careful)/rice/UHT milk etc and some brands (baked beans), as well as a couple of "treat" items like chocolate biscuits/kit kats/wagon wheels/pombears. I always give sanitary protection when it's on offer (I use a mooncup but need a pad too on day 1/2, so buy one, give the free one to the foodbank box). Hadn't thought about pet food (we're a petless household at the moment so I avoid that aisle completely) but will think of adding some cat noms in.

Now, if there was a way to give to a foodbank when I shop online, that'd be fabulous. Surely the big supermarkets have the distribution chain to sort something like this out.

Nomama · 04/03/2015 15:09

I volunteer in a fb, this is my take:

the woman did not need to make any comment other than thank you.
The low carb pasta would not go into a bag. It would go on the "If you want it take it" shelf. We couldn't give it to anyone as it is not a 'normal foodstuff' and they may not like it/eat it, which defeats the object of a food bank.
The more expensive pasta takes 12 minutes to cook. Cheaper pasta take 4 - 7 minutes to cook. In a money short household those minutes eat up the electricity. So we are occasionally asked to swap out the 'nice' pasta for a value pack.

As for online shopping for a food bank, you can. put the name of you favourite supermarket and food bank into google. Tesco have been doing this for a while. Others are coming aboard and have lots of other ideas too!

PoppyAmex · 04/03/2015 15:12

I'd class low carb pasta as unsuitable/useless for toddlers and children and question how appropriate it is to donate diet food to a food bank, but that's just common sense surely?

RueDeWakening · 04/03/2015 15:26

Low carb pasta could still be useful - eg for type 2 diabetics, trying to control their blood sugar by diet because they pay for prescriptions.

I think the lady was rude.

And you've reminded me I should sort out my donation point as I don't have access to my old one any more.

fatlazymummy · 04/03/2015 15:26

Perhaps the lady was just making a suggestion for future reference, rather than being rude.
Regarding the cheapest brands ,I buy loads of Sainsburys basic stuff through choice (I can afford branded stuff), I wouldn't think twice about being given them. I've been very fortunate to have never had to use a food bank (though come close), if I had to I can't imagine turning my nose up at cheap brands. I think I'd just be greatful.
Someone mentioned coffee, my absolute favourite is Sainsburys dark roast instant at £1.85, much nicer than other brands that are 2 or 3 times more expensive, IMO.

Anotheronesoon · 04/03/2015 15:32

Cheap pasta is rank de cecco all the way!
However I can understand that in this circumstance perhaps more,cheaper options might have been better.

JoanHickson · 04/03/2015 15:42

I could have got more chocolate at Christmas had I bought a bumper pack. I bought selection box's. The food back could split it up if needed or give to a needy child.

She should have thanked you op and gently explained as others on the thread have.

hmc · 04/03/2015 15:45

YANBU. The food bank volunteer was rude and should wind her neck in.

GlitzAndGigglesx · 04/03/2015 15:48

If I were using a food bank I certainly wouldn't give a toss if the pasta was low carb or not. I've only donated once and took Tesco's own stuff not the value range as I find most of it pretty shit like the multipack crisps they're just vile

specialsubject · 04/03/2015 15:49

all donations welcome.

Low-carb pasta has been shown to make no difference, so apart from costing a lot more will give the same nutrition.

I'd give what I eat, which usually is budget brands; just the same and much cheaper. While there are some exceptions, buying brands usually means paying for packing and advertising.

aprilanne · 04/03/2015 15:51

i always but branded things for the food bank .just because you are poor does,nt mean you have to eat value rubbish .kids love branded spaghetti .jellies biscuits that kind of thing .she sounded like a right misery .our ladies are greatful for anything you hand in .

OnIlkleyMoorBahTwat · 04/03/2015 15:51

Standard mainstream or supermarket brand pasta is fine, but I can imagine that value pasta is different because it is not always made with 100% durum wheat sometimes it also contains cheaper wheat. I think the cooking makes a difference with pasta as well obviously it shouldnt be overcooked.

However, based on what the poster who volunteers at a foodbank says, maybe quickcook pasta would be the best kind as it takes less fuel to cook.

De Cecco is nice to have, but hardly essential. If someone went into a foodbank and started insisting that they were only supplied with premium brand goods, they would look a little ridiculous.

CunningCat · 04/03/2015 15:54

What the feck is de cecco pasta???
I volunteer with homeless charity and like pp have said cheap pasta takes less cooking. Lots of the people we collect food for request pot noodle etc where you just need to add boiled water. Many of the people we help don't have cookers, especially since care in the community grants were abolished by Osbourne et am.

CunningCat · 04/03/2015 15:55

Osbourne et al, bloody auto correct!!!!!

Yddraigoldragon · 04/03/2015 16:03

Don't know whether it was a good idea or not, last week I bought shower gel and tampons as well as normal foods for the food bank bin. How would they be used?

I see the note about pet food, what else would be a useful addition?

CunningCat · 04/03/2015 16:09

Nappies, toilet paper, baby wipes, toothpaste, shampoo, washing powder etc.
Coats, blankets, jumpers, baby/child clothes. Some/not all food banks will automatically take clothes. Women's refuges and homeless charities will.

ShadowSpiral · 04/03/2015 16:12

For me, pasta is one of those foods where I can't see much difference between the value and premium versions, so I think foodbank lady had a point.

Having said that, I think that she shouldn't have said anything, as a negative comment on a donation (and OP seems to have seen it as a critisim, even if it was meant as friendly advice) might put some people off from donating again.

FWIW, I do donate branded / higher quality products for foods where I believe there's a big difference in quality, such as tinned soup. But not dried pasta.

ShadowSpiral · 04/03/2015 16:13

For me, pasta is one of those foods where I can't see much difference between the value and premium versions, so I think foodbank lady had a point.

FWIW, I do donate branded / higher quality products for foods where I believe there's a big difference in quality, such as tinned soup. But not dried pasta.

LarrytheCucumber · 04/03/2015 16:15

Good points about the cost of cooking the food. I used to buy Fray Bentos tinned pies (often on offer) for Foodbank until it was pointed out that the fuel needed to heat the oven for a pie would be greater than that needed for a hob or microwave. Can see the attraction of Pot Noodles and instant porridge too, in relation to food costs.
Ironically the one thing our foodbank never asks for is pasta because they get more than they need, whereas tinned meat products and tinned fish are always in demand.
Although these Foodbank threads crop up quite often they are really useful in helping me to decide what to buy.

LarrytheCucumber · 04/03/2015 16:16

Sorry cooking costs, not food costs.

Mrsbird311 · 04/03/2015 16:20

I volunteer at a food bank and really value products are completely fine it means the donator can donate more items for the same amount of money and more families can be fed, if you don't want to do this and want to concentrate on more quality items I can suggest donating wheat and gluten free products as we are asked for them quite often and they are expensive for the food bank to have to purchase,

Nomama · 04/03/2015 16:20

Pet food, sanitary stuff, soapy stuff is all very welcome.

Different places have different methods but we have boxes and shelves of 'help yourself' stuff. Other stuff we keep and offer if we think there may be a need, most people get used to that and ask.

So if a woman comes in we would ask her if she needed tampons. We just don't pop them into every bag! Actually, we tend to ask if a man comes in too... he may have wife/daughters who need!

If we are offered baby clothes we pop them into the van and take them off to the nearest refuge but that again is because we have links (one of us volunteers there too). She will deliver when she does the food bank delivery - yes, we do regular deliveries, lots of banks do.

teacupnic · 04/03/2015 16:21

I don't really see the point in buying expensive pasta, but, you choose what to donate and no matter how much or how little, there will be someone who is really grateful for it. I'm sure the lady from the food bank was meaning well but it probably came across quite rude.

MrsLindor · 04/03/2015 16:21

You can donate through Ocado, but in £££ not in items, they match your donation.

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