Healthy Food Donation Guidelines
Did you know you can receive a tax deduction by donating your surplus food? Manna Food Project will provide receipts you can use to deduct the cost of your donation. In addition to this benefit, you will also receive our sincere gratitude and personal letter of thanks.
Manna Food Project is happy to take your surplus food and provide it to someone in need!
However, in order to give our clients food of the highest quality and nutritional value, we try to limit the amount of foods with refined grains, solid fats, trans fats, added sugars, and high sodium levels we distribute.
Please help us support the health and wellness in our community by following the guidelines shown below.
Canned goods (vegetables, fruits, soups, meats, beans, etc.):
- Low sodium, low fat, lite syrup, and no added sugar items are preferred
Chicken or vegetable broth, boxed meals (dinners, pasta meals, etc.):
- Low sodium, low fat, and reduced calorie meals are preferred
Fruit juice, dried fruit, and trail mixes:
- “100% juice” and/or “no sugar added” preferred
Milk:
- Low-fat, shelf-stable or boxed soy/rice milk are preferred
Whole Grains (whole wheat or whole corn) are preferred over white or enriched grains. Good examples are:
- Whole grain cold cereal with low sugar (toasted oats, bran flakes, shredded wheat)
- Hot cereal without sugar (oatmeal, cream of wheat, grits)
- Brown or wild rice
- Whole grain pasta
- Quinoa
- Whole grain crackers and rice cakes
- Low fat and/or unsalted popcorn
- Granola bars
Manna's NO List!
Manna Food Project will not accept the following items:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Tobacco products
- Baby food or formula
- Home canned, vacuum-packed, or pickled foods
- Food in soiled containers
- Dented or rusty canned goods
- Food in open or torn containers
- Products with missing labels
- Food with an “off” odor
As a general rule of thumb, you should not donate food items unless you would consider them worthy of consuming yourself.
