Give peas a chance - beet hunger year round

Information from Hannah Johnson, Public Health Insider

With New Years’ resolution season looming, you might be thinking of ways to be healthier in 2017.

This year, we’d like to ask you to take it one step further: make a resolution to help others be healthier too.

Public Health is partnering with the emergency food system to bring healthier foods to food banks, and we need your help!

Every holiday season, food banks receive thousands of pounds in donated foods, but many donations are high in salt, sugar, and fat, ingredients notorious for their links to diet-related diseases like hypertension and diabetes.

What’s more, donations slow down after the holidays. You can help by continuing to donate healthy food throughout the year.

Shoreline Hopelink's food bank always appreciates protein sources, such as peanut butter (get the kind with no sugar added). 15809 Westminster Way N, Shoreline 98133, 206-440-7300.

Here is a general list to get you started:

Vegetables

    Canned vegetables (low sodium)
    Canned tomato products (low sodium)
    Canned white or sweet potatoes (in water)
    Potato flakes (no additives)
    Canned soups (low sodium)
    Salsa

Fruits

    Canned fruit (in water or juice)
    Applesauce (no sugar added)
    Dried fruits, raisins
    100% fruit leather
    Low sugar fruit spreads

Grains

    Rice, brown or white
    Whole grain pastas or noodles
    Whole grain or bran cereals (low sugar)
    Oats or oatmeal (plain)
    Bulgur or polenta
    Whole grain crackers (reduced fat)
    Granola bars
    Graham or animal crackers
    Pretzels

Dairy

    Powdered milk
    Shelf stable milk or soy milk (in a box)

Poultry/Fish/Beans/Nuts

    Chicken or turkey (canned)
    Canned tuna or salmon in water
    Canned beans (low sodium)
    Dried peas, beans or lentils
    Canned stews
    Unsalted nuts
    Peanut butter

Oils

     Olive or canola oils
     Cooking Spray

Of course, one of the best things you can donate is money. Hopelink can put your money with other donations and take advantages of bulk buying to stretch your dollars.