Guidance for DC-area neighbors on how to make healthy food donations and where to start
Nearly half of all Greater Washington Region residents lack access to healthy food. Poor nutrition leads to poor heart outcomes. People without enough food may often be faced with unhealthy choices of high-calorie, low-nutrient foods, which can lead to chronic diseases, but regular access to nutritious food can help improve health outcomes – and when pantries have healthy pantry policies, their visitors are better served. You can help improve healthy food options for our neighbors by supporting your local food pantry.
This season of giving, consider hosting a healthy food drive. Download, print and share this guide to help ensure your food donations are nutritious. When promoting your food drive, request that most of the items donated have low saturated fat, sodium and no added sugar. These foods are the highest in nutrition and lowest in the ingredients that are most dangerous in contributing to chronic disease.
Here’s a quick snapshot of recommended healthy food donations:
Not sure where to bring your donations? These are just some of the many local food providers and advocates that help keep our neighbors fed.
DC
Maryland
Northern Virginia
- Arlington’s Food Security Coalition
- City of Alexandria Food Assistance
- Fairfax Food Council
- Northern Virginia Food Rescue
- Price William Food Distribution Sites
- Loudoun Food Provider Group Coalition
If you’re a local food provider looking to implement a healthy pantry policy, contact Lucía Zegarra at lucia.zegarra@heart.org.