"food bank" news and stories

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.

Source

Joystiq doesn't usually tackle food pieces, but when they involve Super Mario, they are willing to make an exception. Nintendo Canada and a group called Canstruction got together and built a giant Mario out of canned goods in honor of the new Super Mario Bros game becoming the fastest-selling game in the country. In total, 4,000 cans were used and the 10-foot tall Mario weighed over 2,600 lbs. Judging from the other photos, the foods used included canned ham and chicken, as well as bags of popcorn for the mustache and eyebrows. All the cans (and presumably the popcorn, as well) are being donated to the Daily Bread Food Bank when Mario is deconstructed.

Too bad they didn't do Mario Batali, the other super Mario, while they were at it!