To donate quinoa to the food bank?

[RaisinFlapjack]

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?

Where have I said that my 'world view' is Europe? I think its you and your comprehension which is lacking here. Other posters have also tried to correct you but you're so arrogant you continue to argue.

I’ve recently had to have need of a food bank and there was a box of extras for people to help themselves from. Quinoa was in there as well as some orzo. I had never heard of orzo and the volunteer was very helpful in telling me about it. It sounded like a good filler for a meal and so i took it. I left the quinoa as I already had some at home and I didn’t want someone else to go without. I was so grateful for what i was given and will use everything that the lovely locals had donated.

As a food bank user I'm honestly grateful for whatever I'm given, I had a fray bentos pie that wasn't very nice but it was a hot meal when the alternative was another night of going to bed hungry to ensure my DC eat well

Donate it rather than waste it but it takes a while to cook and some families simply can’t afford to have the hob on for 30-40 minutes sadly.

Most food banks have a set list of what goes into their parcels so probably wouldn’t be much use to them. However, locally we have 2 community supermarkets where people shop for say 10 items and pay £3…if you have something like in your area it would be perfect for that…I have seen many an obscure item being snapped up where I volunteered x

No. Foodies end up needing food banks too. Quinoa is quick and easy to prepare, and season to your preferences. You can make it with just a kettle so it uses very little electricity and is filling, and can be tasty if seasoned right.
It's a bit snobby to assume people using food banks don't know how to prepare quinoa, or wouldn't eat it. It's easier and uses less power than rice or pasta, and those are foodbank staples.
It's hardly a middle class, rare or unknown ingredient

If you can boil a kettle, you can prepare quinoa. It takes less energy than rice or pasta.

I run a foodbank and I'd be pleased to take it. We try to cater for all sorts of diets and I know plenty of clients who'd rather quinoa than a pot noodle. Please don't assume you know who uses a foodbank - you really don't!

I'd add a few sticks of celery for good measure.

It doesn't take 30 - 40 minutes to cook, you can actually cook it in a thermal cooker. Its a complete protein so its a good thing to donate, although as this thread shows it helps of food banks can tell people what it is and how to prepare it.

They did a very good cookbook, and free website, that gives recipes for typical foodbank offerings.thetre not responsible for everyone's wellbeing that ever needed a foodbank, but they definitely helped make it easier

The Carbrienara is nice.

For the love of God!!!!

You cannot 'make' quinoa with just a kettle. It needs to be cooked.
So many people are jumping on the thread to extol it's virtues when they have clearly never prepared it themselves.

Quinoa is a protein rich grain which is simple to cook and a great addition to many meals and a base for others. It does need to be cooked though. It's great as an alternative to bulgur in all sorts of dishes and has more protein in it.

Couscous, which can be prepared with just boiling water, is a dot of wheat rolled in flour and is, to all intents and purposes, tiny pasta which needs to be flavoured or topped.

The reason that it is less popular than rice and pasta with our food bank clients is probably that many of them don't know how to cook it.

I can't edit on my phone but am aware that its in this context does not require an apostrophe.

I think it's more that food banks won't want to give people items they won't eat.

"Nike" "JDI" it will all be appreciated, trust me, have you ever paused to look at what people are depositing in the "food bank bins" in your local supermarkets?

It can be quite an eye opener.....

Jim

FML… you referenced Europe. There’s nothing wrong with my comprehension. Other posters- 1? What is this, primary school? “Me and her both agree and that makes you outnumbered so you’re wrong!” And the irony that you call me arrogant because I don’t agree with you, whilst you stomp your feet and call me stupid for having a different opinion…

Quinoa would be a no from me because it takes so long to cook and energy prices are so expensive now, and it also needs flavouring with other ingredients in order to make a meal. I've never cooked polenta (despite being solidly middle class myself!) but a quick google suggests that it would also take too much power to cook, and sounds like it needs expensive butter and milk to make the most out of it.

Pesto is a great thing to donate though.

Many people who go to foodbanks are regulars who are tired of the same canned stuff, so they might appreciate quinoa or polenta.
I like my polenta with water and salt, nothing else. I can then eat it with cheese, eggs, roast vegetables…it’s a replacement for bread or rice. There will be someone there who will know what to do with it, especially if they come from my partid the world.
I cook polenta by microwaving it for a few minutes. It’s not the traditional way of cooking but it’s much quicker and easier than cooking it on the stove

And quinoa doesn’t take that long to cook, just 10 mins or so and it can then be added to salads or rice etc.

Ours would take it - it would go on the "extras" table (ie where people can choose a number of items that do not fit the core food parcel). All sorts of stuff gets picked up from there.

I've noted that a lot of posters say who say they are involved with their foodbank are saying "donate".

Because, to be frank, something that's niche may well find a taker (or be bought/swapped by a volunteer, so still of value). But even if it didn't, we'd still rather that than stuff that's past it's dates or already opened (and yes that does happen).

BTW - one of the best things you can give your foodbank is cash. We use this year round, of course, to buy in what we need alongside what's donate, but at this time of year we also spend on emergency fuel vouchers (all colder months) and, for Christmas, a gift in the form supermarket gift cards (and we've been asking for mince pies and for Christmas themed biscuits and chocolates).

I've donated some, before. I bought it not realising that it was labelled as may contain gluten. Even if no one selected it, it would have been no more wasted than it would have been sat in my cupboard until it expired.

Go on then. Name a country where people don't eat chips and sandwiches

I don't think there's anything wrong with donating it, it's food and it's in date, and quinoa is a totally acceptable food. Definitely donate.
I would just be mindful though that a lot of people might not have a lot of money for gas and electric for things that might take ages to cook (dried beans etc) or might only have limited cooking appliances (say a kettle and a microwave).

Quinoa isn't pompous 😕🤣