AIBU to think that donating tinned tomatoes to the food bank shows a real lack of understanding of food poverty?

[BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz]

The food bank donation box at my local supermarket this morning had a fairly good mix of items, apart from about a third of the tins were tinned tomatoes.

Surely it would be better all round to donate products which need little to no additional ingredients?

Tinned tomatoes are a base - they will never be a meal in their own right. They need at the bare minimum, some seasoning and or some veg or protein to make them useable.

And then even if you could rustle up some other ingredients to make them palateable/nutritious, you need to heat them - if they contain meat or lentils they need a good length of time on the heat.

Those using food banks likely cannot give over 20mins on the hob for tinned tomatoes. The cost of heating up the food (if there is even funds on the meter) is too high for the return.

I do think that people who donate tinned tomatoes, come at it from a reasonably comfortable point of view - just chuck it in with some mince and a bit if garlic and slow cook it for a couple of hours.

All of which is likely to be outside of the financial scope of the recipient.

And I suppose tinned stuff isn't organic.

Does tinned organic food not exist?

@Bluesheep8

And I suppose tinned stuff isn't organic.

Does tinned organic food not exist?

It absolutely does exist.

Yes and no. When I was in poverty I used a great deal of tinned tomatoes! But I do agree with your point on the whole. At school some of the try hards donate all manner of different lentils, chia seeds, polenta etc. I tend to go for biscuits, pot noodles, meals in a tin, tuna, tinned chicken etc knowing it isn't just about needing the cooking facilities but those in need of food banks are more likely to be struggling with their mental health too and will appreciate some easy things that don't need recipes and can just be heated.

Lots of organic tins, jars and packets are on display in Asda, including the newish Gino range (which is pretty pricey) of olives and tomatoes, and some less pricey ones including tinned tomatoes.

Not currently needing a foodbank, but there are other tinned food that would be useful. A tin of chickpeas or kidney beans would add protein, for example.

I made a huge batch of hummus just now with a 10p lemon from the greengrocer, the dregs of a jar of tahini that I bought in the yellow sticker section a while ago for 59p, some garlic, and 3 for 99p chickpeas.

The lemon was the juciest one I've ever seen - I warmed it before squeezing.
I've popped the hummus I won't use up in the next few days in the freezer.

@Bluesheep8

And I suppose tinned stuff isn't organic.

Does tinned organic food not exist?

Can we remember this is a stop gap service. Not a forever and ever service.

We deal with people who are quite desperate and we rely on donations.

We shouldn't exist. But we do.

Stop quibbling over what is or is not available in a bloody tin.

Go shout at your elected MP!

@B0G0F

Not currently needing a foodbank, but there are other tinned food that would be useful. A tin of chickpeas or kidney beans would add protein, for example.

I made a huge batch of hummus just now with a 10p lemon from the greengrocer, the dregs of a jar of tahini that I bought in the yellow sticker section a while ago for 59p, some garlic, and 3 for 99p chickpeas.

The lemon was the juciest one I've ever seen - I warmed it before squeezing.
I've popped the hummus I won't use up in the next few days in the freezer.

???

@HelpMeTree

I think you’re virtue signaling. Of all the people to criticise, those who donate to food banks probably shouldn’t be at the top of your list.

Well the OP would hate me then as I regularly donate food to my local food bank. My most frequently donated items include toiletries (inc. sanpro/incontinence aids) and baby items as well as food. Often they're items the subject of coupons, or reduced to clear but still have shelf life left.

@B0G0F

Not currently needing a foodbank, but there are other tinned food that would be useful. A tin of chickpeas or kidney beans would add protein, for example.

I made a huge batch of hummus just now with a 10p lemon from the greengrocer, the dregs of a jar of tahini that I bought in the yellow sticker section a while ago for 59p, some garlic, and 3 for 99p chickpeas.

The lemon was the juciest one I've ever seen - I warmed it before squeezing.
I've popped the hummus I won't use up in the next few days in the freezer.

Rather than criticising people who’ve given something to a foodbank for getting the wrong thing, maybe look at the people who don’t bother? If everyone who could afford to add a couple of tins to their weekly shop and give it to a foodbank, did, they’d have a lot more donations than they do now.

Washing powder tablets are good to donate as they come wrapped and can be split down
Smaller bags of sugar
Toothbrushes, toothpaste
Shower gel
Washing up liquid
Get the selection boxes of chocolates after Christmas, they're usually heavily reduced and can take the chocolate bars out of the packaging
I donated cat food that my cat had gone off as it was pouches (local animal charities take donations of that too)

I don't donate anything I wouldn't eat or use myself with regards to brands. Value biscuits are usually really good!

How very dare I suggest a recipe for a healthy, additive-free cheap recipe on a thread related to food poverty?

I don't donate anything I wouldn't eat or use myself with regards to brands. Value biscuits are usually really good!

I don’t think food banks are fussed if a donor eats Tesco Finest themselves but only donates Tesco standard brand food to the food bank.

I donated cat food that my cat had gone off as it was pouches (local animal charities take donations of that too)

When I volunteered at our local Resource Centre, which distributed food boxes as well as providing support, we had a cupboard of dog and cat food.
Some clients were delighted that their cherished pets mattered.

@Squeezita

I don't donate anything I wouldn't eat or use myself with regards to brands. Value biscuits are usually really good!

I don’t think food banks are fussed if a donor eats Tesco Finest themselves but only donates Tesco standard brand food to the food bank.

No I get that what I mean is I've heard stuff about people donating out of date/mouldy/half opened stuff, and I wouldn't donate something I know I've tried and is vile

I wouldn't donate something I know I've tried and is vile

Even if the things that you consider 'vile' are the things that foodbank needs most?

Even if the things that you consider 'vile' are the things that foodbank needs most?

FFS what is it with this thread?!

Are you trying to catch someone out here and prove they're not giving in 'the right way???'

Give it a rest.

Jeez tinned tomatoes are one of the most versatile staples in my cupboard and we're even when I was trying to feed myself on a tenna a week.
They can been eaten on toast. Whizzed up to make a soup (with a dash of dried mixed herbs). Used as a pasta sauce, add curry powder to make a curry sauce and much much more.

@FluffyBooBoo

I wouldn't donate something I know I've tried and is vile

Even if the things that you consider 'vile' are the things that foodbank needs most?

I eat anything. If the food bank want it, I will donate it. There is nothing that I won't donate, all that varies is the brand

I don't know why that's such a controversial thing - I'm saying I will donate value biscuits as they're fine, if I donate beans then I'm putting branded ones in and the same with ketchup etc. Also because it's more "normal" to have some brands in, and children who have autism etc may have issues with food and prefer brands and the food bank can then offer them.

Baby wipes - I'm not going to donate the shit ones that rip as you pull them out and fall to pieces, or the nappies that leak everywhere or the washing powder that doesn't shift stains or the teabags that constantly break or the ketchup that's like water

I'm on a low budget myself (min wage) and if I was questioned like this at the food bank I would be likely to go fuck it, I'm not bringing anything any more!

@Sirzy

It would really help if the supermarkets had labels on the shelves saying “your local food bank is short of this” as a reminder while your going round!

This is such a good idea!

@sunglassesonthetable

Even if the things that you consider 'vile' are the things that foodbank needs most?

FFS what is it with this thread?!

Are you trying to catch someone out here and prove they're not giving in 'the right way???'

Give it a rest.

Not trying to catch anyone out.

I just find it odd to class food that is on supermarket shelves, that many people buy and that are wanted by foodbanks as 'vile'. And it feels very judgemental. I think it's perfectly for to clarify what is meant by that.

And now it has been clarified, it makes some kind of sense.

Yeah - I will eat anything. Included tinned meat, tinned pies, instant mash, pot noodles...

But I won't donate the blue cheese dressing that I tried and binned instantly because frankly it would be an insult to donate the unopened bottle as it tasted like syrup mixed with blue cheese it was so sweet
I'm using sainsburys baby wipes which are great if a bit too wet, but I had some that shredded the minute you pulled them out. Nobody wants that so I wouldn't buy them again even if they were 10p to donate!

Tinned toms cooked in a microwave for 2 mins, then stirred through with couscous and spring onions, tinned fish or kidney beans/lentils etc and left to stand, makes a healthy nutritious meal.

As a penniless student in a bedsit, they were a basic staple. A tin of tomatoes is 30p, a jar of sauce is three times that. I'd rather have the tomatoes.

I think a variety is the key and that’s why it’s good when places advertise what they currently need

Nothing wrong with tomatoes per se

I try to donate a few modest items to the food bank every week. I cannot afford to give as much as I would like to.

I usually donate tinned spaghetti, baked beans, porridge oats, tinned soups (especially if cheap and on special offer), biscuits, tinned beans and vegetables and the occasional pot noodle thingy

I asked my local foodbank what they wanted and so give accordingly

I also look for special offers and if lovely food is on sale cheaply I will buy it and donate.

When my local supermarket was sellling really lovely tinned soup on special offer for 20-30p a tin I bought loads and put it in the foodbank trolley. Why not? I spent £2 on 10 tins of delicious soup that I would happily eat myself.

I have donated tinned tomatoes too, why not?