By: Dayle Hayes, MS, RD   Date: 11/23/10

As the holiday season begins to shift into high gear, families across America begin to dream of gifts, celebrations, and festive meals. However, many of our friends and neighbors will need our help to meet their basic needs, as well as our donations to bring holiday cheer to the table.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service recently released its annual study measuring food security in the United States, Household Food Security in the United States, 2009, indicating that 1 in 6 Americans is still food insecure and now more than 50 million Americans. This includes 1 in 4 children.

A few study highlights from Feeding America:
•The number of people living in very low food security stayed stable between 2008 and 2009, suggesting that food safety net is supporting those most in-need. It's important to remember that still represents a 48% increase in the number of people in very low food security since the start of the recession in December 2007.
• Increased emergency food, coupled with a stronger safety net, kept the numbers stable this year.  People most likely to be eligible for SNAP (those with incomes below 130% poverty rate) have experienced slight decreases in their food insecurity.
• However, 1 in 4 children is still food insecure. We know that when children don’t receive adequate nutrition, particularly under the age of five, the long-term damage on their cognitive development cannot be restored. 
• This data also reinforces the fact that food insecurity disproportionately affects Hispanic households. The number of Hispanic children in food insecurity continues to rise, even as other ethnic groups remain stable or even decrease.

We can all help address food security, during the holidays and all year long. Most food banks/pantries prefer cash donations, so that they can maximize their purchase of most-needed items. When you do donate food, focus on the nutrient-rich options listed below. Most locations will refuse perishable items, homemade products, unlabeled cans, home canned foods, and any open packages.

5 Nutrient-Rich Ways to Make Meaningful Food Donations

1. Donate protein foods.
These more expensive items are usually very welcome donations for hungry families. Options include canned tuna, salmon, and chicken. Canned meals - such as beef stew, chili, or hearty soups - are also good choices. Other shelf stable proteins include nuts, sunflower seeds, and peanut butter, as well as canned beans, peas, and lentils.

2. Donate whole grain foods.
Grain staples are important foods for every family. Maximize the nutritional value of your food donations by choosing whole grain options whenever possible. Meaningful options include whole grain pastas, quick cooking brown rice, and breakfast cereals that are lower in sugar and higher in fiber.

3. Donate canned/dried fruits and 100% juices.
Fruit and 100% juice are good sources of vitamin C (and sometimes vitamin A), as well as potassium. Excellent shelf-staple options include fruits canned in juice (pineapple, peaches, apricots, etc.), as well as applesauce and dried fruit (without added sugar, if possible). Purchase 100% fruit juice or juice mixtures in cans, boxes, or plastic bottles.

4. Donate canned vegetables and 100% juice.
Reduced-sodium veggies are also important sources of vitamins, potassium, and fiber, while veggie juice can be an excellent source of vitamins A and C. Tomato products - such as tomato sauce, stewed tomatoes, chopped tomatoes, prepared spaghetti sauce, and 100% tomato juice - are especially nutritious and versatile items to donate.

5. Donate shelf-stable dairy foods.
Dairy foods are important for families, especially growing children. Cash donations to food banks can help to purchase low-fat fluid milk, cheese, and yogurt. You can also make direct donations of shelf-stable products, including dehydrated milk powder instant breakfast, and evaporated canned milk.

Dayle Hayes, MS, RD, is president of Nutrition for the Future, Inc., based in Billings, Montana. She authors the monthly Eat Right Montana newsletters, where these tips were originally published. For  a free subscription, send you name and Email address to maryann.harris@montana.edu.