Home & Garden Home 25 of the Best Foods for Food Donations By Robin Shreeves Robin Shreeves Writer Cairn University Rowan University Wine School of Philadelphia Robin Shreeves is a freelance writer who focuses on sustainability, wine, travel, food, parenting, and spirituality. Learn about our editorial process Updated November 7, 2019 Share Twitter Pinterest Email Food drives are a great way to make a difference, but there are ways to make sure what you donate gets utilized. For starters, check dates and look for those pop-top cans. (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Home Sustainable Eating Pest Control Natural Cleaning DIY Family Green Living Thrift & Minimalism There are a lot of food drives during the holidays. What food banks need most is cash, but when the Scouts come knocking at your door collecting food or you're asked to bring a non-perishable item as entrance to the school’s holiday concert, food is in order. NPR did a piece on the types of pantry staples that can help those who rely on food banks to build healthy meals. Food banks say the focus should be on “on whole, unprocessed or minimally processed foods” to help people create healthy meals. Instead of donating foods that are high in salt, sugar and highly processed grains, bring foods that are high in protein, healthy fats and whole grains instead. The best non-perishable foods to donate canned beans dry beans peanut butter, or other nut butters rolled oats canned fruit in juice, not in light or heavy syrup canned vegetables, with no or low-sodium low-sodium soups canned tuna in water canned chicken brown rice quinoa nuts, unsalted seeds, unsalted shelf stable milk and milk substitutes whole grain pasta low-sodium pasta sauce popcorn kernels (not microwave popcorn) canned stews unsweetened apple sauce whole grain, low-sugar cold cereals olive or canola oil canned tomatoes dried fruits, no sugar added honey chicken, beef and vegetable broths and stock. Armed with many of these foods, and perhaps a cookbook like "Good and Cheap: Eating Healthy on $4 a Day," which was developed to show SNAP recipients how to cook with inexpensive staples, those who rely on food banks can create healthy, filling meals. Additional tips:Canned goods with pop-top lids are better than canned goods that require a can opener Avoid foods packaged in glass. Do not donate foods that are past the expiration date.