OTTAWA COUNTY, Mich — As many of us get into the spirit of paying it forward this holiday season, Ottawa County has issued some tips for donating food to those in need.
The Ottawa County Health Department (OCHD) and the Ottawa County Food Policy (OCFP) encourage donors to give healthy foods this year.
According to a news release, eating healthy foods can be a challenge for low-income families because foods high in fat and sugar tend to be less expensive and more available but provide little nutrition.
Some of the food donations suggested by the OCHD and OCFP are:
Fruit & Vegetables
- Canned vegetables
- Vegetable juice
- Diced tomatoes
- Tomato sauce
- Spaghetti sauce
- Canned fruit (in its own juice)
- 100% Fruit juice
- Dried fruit
- Shelf-stable fruit cups
Milk
- Dry milk
- Boxed shelf-stable milk
- Grains
- Oatmeal
- Whole grain pasta and whole grain rice
- Low sugar, high fiber, whole grain cereal
Protein
- Canned tuna or chicken
- Canned baked beans
- Dried and canned beans and peas
- Canned bean soup, chili and stew
- Peanut butter
- Nuts
