DARLINGTON - This is the time of year when numerous food collection sites are hosted to fill local food pantry shelves, to ensure that those in need have a wonderful holiday season. Keeping a few simple tips in mind will enhance the value of the food donations made. Donated food is most helpful if it is both safe and high quality. Check the dates on food packages, using these guidelines when donating to your local food pantry or collection site:
• Quality or pack dates are often designated on packages by the words "Better if used by..." and a date. Look for these dates on packaged mixes, cold cereals, peanut butter and on canned items like fruits and vegetables. These dates mean that after the quality date, the food will begin to lose its flavor and may even develop an off-flavor. Donate only foods that are well within the quality dates marked on the package.
• Expiration dates include information such as "Expires 2/15/13" or "Do not use after 7/9/13." Look for these dates on vitamins, yeast, baking powder and cake mixes. Do not donate foods that are past their expiration date.
• Pull dates. Example: "Sell by May 16." Look for these dates on perishable, refrigerated foods such as milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, cream, eggs, lunchmeat and packaged salad mixes. Perishable foods, with the exception of garden produce, usually are not included in a food drive. If they are, choose foods that are well within the pull date.
Check the integrity of the package. Donate only foods from unopened packages and avoid foods with packaging that show signs of leakage or damage. Do not donate home-canned items or canned items that have broken seams or large dents. If the quality of the product is questionable, it is best not to donate it.
When donating food items, avoid sugary cereals, salty noodle mixes, and fruit-flavored beverages that make it difficult for families to include in nutritious meals. Always consider donating foods that have a stable shelf life, are full of nutrients and are easy to prepare. Good examples of foods to consider are: Canned vegetables, especially those without added salt; fruits canned in juice, unsweetened applesauce, 100-percent fruit juice and dried fruit such as raisins or craisins; canned meats (not meat canned at home) and fish, such as chicken, ham, beef, tuna and salmon; peanuts and peanut butter; whole-grain, low-sugar cereals such as plain instant oatmeal, whole grain O's, and bran flakes; whole-grain or enriched pasta and brown or enriched instant rice ; boxed noodle and rice dishes; whole-grain crackers (especially reduced-sodium) and popcorn; spaghetti sauce, salsa and canned beans, including baked beans; reduced-sodium broth and soups; low-fat salad dressings or spreads and condiments such as ketchup or mustard; and baby food. Donate only items that fall well within the date marked on the containers.
Consider donating cash to food pantries. Cash donations provide the widest array of products and help stretch the food dollar, as food pantries often can get more for their dollars, address shortages and needs and focus on high quality products.
Locally, the Southwest CAP Food Pantry serves individuals in Lafayette County. It is located at 1033 Main St. in Darlington. The food pantry is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and can be accessed by calling the Southwest CAP office at 608-776-3500. All calls will be returned by staff if a detailed message and contact information is provided. Individuals also may call the SW CAP main office in Dodgeville at 608-935-2326.
The Monthly Mana mobile food pantry is also held in Darlington on the first Friday of every month. Several local churches also serve the area through their food pantries. Individuals needing assistance also may contact their churches for food assistance during the holidays. The UW Extension office at 627 Washington St. (the ground floor of the Lafayette County Courthouse) is accepting donations for the Southwest CAP Food Pantry during the month of December. Donated items will be distributed to the Food Pantry during the holiday season.
• Quality or pack dates are often designated on packages by the words "Better if used by..." and a date. Look for these dates on packaged mixes, cold cereals, peanut butter and on canned items like fruits and vegetables. These dates mean that after the quality date, the food will begin to lose its flavor and may even develop an off-flavor. Donate only foods that are well within the quality dates marked on the package.
• Expiration dates include information such as "Expires 2/15/13" or "Do not use after 7/9/13." Look for these dates on vitamins, yeast, baking powder and cake mixes. Do not donate foods that are past their expiration date.
• Pull dates. Example: "Sell by May 16." Look for these dates on perishable, refrigerated foods such as milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, cream, eggs, lunchmeat and packaged salad mixes. Perishable foods, with the exception of garden produce, usually are not included in a food drive. If they are, choose foods that are well within the pull date.
Check the integrity of the package. Donate only foods from unopened packages and avoid foods with packaging that show signs of leakage or damage. Do not donate home-canned items or canned items that have broken seams or large dents. If the quality of the product is questionable, it is best not to donate it.
When donating food items, avoid sugary cereals, salty noodle mixes, and fruit-flavored beverages that make it difficult for families to include in nutritious meals. Always consider donating foods that have a stable shelf life, are full of nutrients and are easy to prepare. Good examples of foods to consider are: Canned vegetables, especially those without added salt; fruits canned in juice, unsweetened applesauce, 100-percent fruit juice and dried fruit such as raisins or craisins; canned meats (not meat canned at home) and fish, such as chicken, ham, beef, tuna and salmon; peanuts and peanut butter; whole-grain, low-sugar cereals such as plain instant oatmeal, whole grain O's, and bran flakes; whole-grain or enriched pasta and brown or enriched instant rice ; boxed noodle and rice dishes; whole-grain crackers (especially reduced-sodium) and popcorn; spaghetti sauce, salsa and canned beans, including baked beans; reduced-sodium broth and soups; low-fat salad dressings or spreads and condiments such as ketchup or mustard; and baby food. Donate only items that fall well within the date marked on the containers.
Consider donating cash to food pantries. Cash donations provide the widest array of products and help stretch the food dollar, as food pantries often can get more for their dollars, address shortages and needs and focus on high quality products.
Locally, the Southwest CAP Food Pantry serves individuals in Lafayette County. It is located at 1033 Main St. in Darlington. The food pantry is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and can be accessed by calling the Southwest CAP office at 608-776-3500. All calls will be returned by staff if a detailed message and contact information is provided. Individuals also may call the SW CAP main office in Dodgeville at 608-935-2326.
The Monthly Mana mobile food pantry is also held in Darlington on the first Friday of every month. Several local churches also serve the area through their food pantries. Individuals needing assistance also may contact their churches for food assistance during the holidays. The UW Extension office at 627 Washington St. (the ground floor of the Lafayette County Courthouse) is accepting donations for the Southwest CAP Food Pantry during the month of December. Donated items will be distributed to the Food Pantry during the holiday season.