MOUNT VERNON — Typical donations to food pantries tend to be high in sodium, saturated fat, and empty calories.
The Knox County Local Food Council’s healthy donations list aims to change that.
The list includes healthier options such as low-sodium canned vegetables, whole grain pasta, or fruit canned with 100% fruit juice instead of syrup.
“Too often we have people who are food secure but are nutrient insecure.”
Tanner Cooper-Risser, OSU Extension
The council is a subcommittee of the Get Healthy Knox Coalition that Tami Ruhl of Knox Public Health coordinates.
“Data from the 2021 Community Health Assessment shows heart disease is the leading cause of mortality in Knox County. Eating foods low in saturated fat and sodium and high in fiber can help prevent high blood pressure and other risk factors such as obesity and other chronic diseases,” Ruhl explained.
“The Knox County Local Food Council is working to increase access to healthy food for everyone. Filling local food pantries with healthy nonperishables will ensure those experiencing food insecurity have access to these foods to make dietary and lifestyle changes for better health.”
While the healthy donations list provides examples for individuals to consider, Ruhl noted that all donations are appreciated.
Healthy food: a human right
Tanner Cooper-Risser, OSU Extension educator and SNAP-Ed coordinator, believes access to healthy food is a human right.
“When we think about food access, we often think exclusively about getting people food, which is good, but we need to think beyond that,” he said. “We don’t need to just fill people’s bellies, but we need to help provide nourishing food. Too often we have people who are food secure but are nutrient insecure.
“This list will encourage people to donate healthy items to food pantries so we can provide access to nourishing food for our neighbors,” he continued. “Many of our food assistance sites rely heavily on donations, and so we want to provide people with an easy-to-read list of ways they can donate healthy items to the pantries.”
Austin Swallow, interim president of Food for the Hungry, noted the suggested non-fat, low-fat, and low-salt items on the list stem from the survey results Ruhl shared with the food council.
“In creating this list, the food council was looking at a more holistic approach to assist our neighbors and friends who are in need,” he said.
“While Food for the Hungry is certainly in favor of healthier food items to help those with health restrictions, our first priority is to reduce hunger in the county. Therefore, Food for the Hungry will continue to welcome any and all donations.”
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