5 Items Food Pantries Want You to Stop Donating
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Food pantries across the U.S. are seeing an unprecedented surge in demand. In 2024, roughly 1 in 8 Americans is grappling with food insecurity. A figure that’s only grown since the pandemic. It’s a stark reminder of the need for generosity, but here’s the catch: while donations are essential, they can sometimes create more challenges than they solve.
As the need for food donations grows, well-meaning donors often send items that create more problems than they solve.
Recent reports say that 10% to 15% of donated food gets thrown away because of expired dates or safety issues. If you’ve donated before, you might think it’s always helpful, but some items actually make things more complicated for food banks. Here are five things they hope people will stop donating to.
Expired Foods
You may believe that food sitting in your pantry is still OK to donate, but expired food is a real problem for food banks. Feeding America says food banks are turning away more expired items, like dented cans and old baby formula, because they can’t legally or safely give them to families.
According to 2024 USDA data, over 10% of food donations are discarded because they’re expired. Volunteers spend valuable hours sorting through boxes, only to find cans that can’t be used. That time could be better spent getting fresh, nutritious food to the people who need it most.
Food banks need fresh, nutrient-dense, and unexpired products—not just whatever has been sitting around the longest.
Opened or Damaged Goods
If you’ve cleaned out your pantry, you’ve probably found half-used or damaged items. But for food donations, opened or damaged packages are a big problem.
Whether it’s a half-eaten bag of flour or a can with a damaged seal, these items can’t be accepted. Why? For one, food pantries are subject to strict health regulations. A small tear in packaging could mean contamination, pests, or mold—and that’s not something any pantry can risk.
Sorting and discarding damaged goods costs both time and money. Volunteers can spend hours sorting through donations that ultimately get tossed, time that could be better spent organizing more valuable items.
Sugary Sodas, Candy, and Low-Nutrient Foods
It’s easy to think sugary snacks or soda are just treats, but for food banks, these items are more of a burden than a gift. Sure, they might provide calories, but they do nothing to address the diet-related health issues that plague many food-insecure families.
The trend toward healthier donations has been growing for years. Dr. Anya Sharma, a public health nutritionist, argues that food pantries should focus on nutrient-dense foods, such as low-sodium canned vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins—not high-sugar items that only make matters worse. When pantries receive piles of sugary snacks, they have to sort through them, and often they end up in the trash.
Food banks are increasingly seeking donations that support long-term health. This means moving away from instant meals and processed foods that are high in sodium and preservatives.
Home-Canned or Unlabeled Items
Donating home-canned goods or unlabeled jars might seem like a thoughtful gesture, but for food pantries, this is a serious public health risk. Without proper labeling or commercial canning standards, there’s no way for food banks to guarantee the safety of these items.
Food safety experts, like those at the NYC Food Policy Center, stress that small pantries often lack the resources to inspect or properly handle these items. Even if the food seems okay, it’s not worth the risk when public health is on the line.
Instant Meals
Instant ramen, canned soups, and other quick meals are easy to donate, but they come with a catch: they’re often packed with sodium and preservatives, offering very little nutritional value. While these foods can fill a stomach, they don’t contribute to recipients’ long-term health.
This issue has become more pressing in recent years as food banks have moved toward a model of providing not just calories, but balanced, nutritious meals. Instant meals are high in sodium and provide little in the way of fiber, vitamins, or protein—key nutrients that people with food insecurities lack.
Dr. Anya Sharma explains that while these foods may be convenient, it’s better to avoid them and opt for healthier alternatives. She recommends donating nutritious canned goods, like low-sodium vegetables, whole-grain pasta, and healthy oils, as they offer much more value to food pantries.
Key Takeaways
As food insecurity continues to rise, food pantries are facing tough choices. They need quality over quantity to help families in need truly. While donations are essential, they need to be thoughtful. Expired, opened, sugary, or unsafe donations not only waste time and resources but also harm the very people they’re meant to help.
If you’re looking to make a meaningful impact, the answer is simple: donate nutrient-dense, shelf-stable foods, and check those expiration dates. And if you want to maximize your contribution even further, consider donating money. Cash allows food banks to purchase exactly what’s needed, like fresh produce and culturally appropriate foods, in bulk and at wholesale prices.
Every well-thought-out donation can make a difference. So the next time you’re
cleaning out your pantry, remember: a mindful donation is far more potent than a well-meaning misstep.
