Where once cans of Spaghetti-os, mixed fruit and green beans were prevalent, many food banks now have a very different selection of goods, including Cookie Crisp cereal, Everlasting Gobstopper jawbreakers, Mini Oreos and Wonka Donutz.
Most of the food donated to food banks comes from grocers, manufacturers and growers. Perishables are the first items to be distributed, and take more handling and faster shipment than non-perishable goods, but with the upswing in the amount of junk foods with long shelf-lives - possibly an indication of larger food trends - some food banks are trying to make changes in their programs. They want to increase the work they do with growers of fresh foods and improve their storage systems.
The shift in the types of food donated to food banks leave the administration of the banks wondering "whether they should distribute all food received, regardless of nutritional value, or only the more healthful items." This is an area of concern for many, especially considering that obesity rates tend to be higher among the low income groups that need food assistance like food banks provide and in some cases, banks are already turning down certain food items, like sodas.
The problem that arises is that at a certain point it becomes difficult for potential donors to actually donate foods and other goods. If it does, those donors could simply stop giving altogether. For most food banks, like those affiliated with America's Second Harvest, it is a balancing act that has become more necessary over time and will continue to be a challenge as they try to help those who receive supplemental food from the banks in every way they can. The men, women and children who rely on the food banks to help them eat each month also hope for the more nutritious foods but sometimes it just has to be food at all. "Put it this way," one man said, "I'm grateful for anything I can get."
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-28-2006 @ 2:18PM
Vesna said...
Another thought: the paternalism implicit in asking whether to give "poor people" food that "isn't good for them." This is not even raised as a question here.
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8-28-2006 @ 4:07PM
Steve Savage said...
The program is meant to feed people with nutritious meals, not just to fill their stomachs with corporate garbage food.
Look at other programs such as WIC and food stamps. You can only buy bread, milk, juice and cereals under WIC because it is meant to not only feed babies but keep them healthy. You can't buy liquor and smokes with food stamps for the same reason even though they're available in the grocery store.
Its not about paternalism, its about being free of powerful corporate entities that would prefer to imprint on your mind their advertising than actually give you good food.
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8-28-2006 @ 6:14PM
Vesna said...
WIC is indeed a suffocatingly paternalistic system, and it does indeed further corporate interests. WIC pays for a wide array of commercial junk breakfast cereals, but not for dry beans. (It will pay for canned beans, though.) It will not pay for any organic products, including dairy products. It will not pay for anything labeled fat-free. Participants are required to answer a battery of questions including "do you wash the tops of your cans before opening them" before eligibility, and are required to come in person and participate in social services-type sessions.
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8-29-2006 @ 12:23PM
Barbara said...
I was on WIC seventeen years ago when I was pregnant with my daughter. The system does -seem- paternalistic, however, it was a lifesaver for me.
Here in Ohio, WIC coupons can be used at the farmer's markets to buy fresh, organic (or not) vegetables, fruits, cider, and eggs, and a lot of low-income Moms use them here in Athens who would otherwise not be able to afford fresh food for their kids.
So, while I agree that some of the questions and attitudes shown by WIC's methodology are paternalistic, the structure of the service is changing, at least in some places, to better serve the needs of the people who use it.
WIC may be to some people's eyes paternalistic, but it has done a great deal of good work for women, babies and toddlers, and will likely continue to do so--if the funding isn't cut.
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8-29-2006 @ 5:20PM
mella said...
Thanks, Barbara, for mentioning how helpful the WIC system can be. When my son was born two and a half years ago, we benefitted from the WIC program. I was not asked the any questions similar to those mentioned by Vesna, though they did ask me some questions about my nutritional habits. My answers did not affect my eligibilty but enabled the organization to provide nutritional counseling when appropriate. I also received funds to use at the farmer's market for fresh produce that had been locally grown. If your taxes are paying to feed women and children who need help, aren't you glad to know that the money is being used to purchase nutritious foods?
As for the food banks, I can understand thier quandary. Though a person in need is grateful for any assistance, I'm sure they are just as grateful to have healthy foods to feed their families. When donating, people should be thinking about the benefit they are conferring. It's the unfortunate truth that some families are getting the majority of their nutrition from food bank provisions. Donations should be made with nutritional benefit in mind.
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