Purpose
Fallbrook Food Pantry believes a nutritious diet is essential to the well-being of the individuals in our community. We believe every individual should have access to a healthy and nutritious diet. We practice being good stewards of the funds and items donated to us and never violate the trust of our community. We respond to people in-need by advocating dignity, respect, and fairness for all people by providing hope through nurturing love and emotional support. Most importantly, we encourage our clients to become self-sufficient, independent, and productive members of the community.
Nutrition Guidelines
Fallbrook Food Pantry is committed to providing a variety of nourishing foods from every food group to all clients. We commit to providing the following at every distribution:
Fresh Fruits & Vegetables
- Each person receives 8-10 pounds of fresh produce weekly
- 6 or more different fresh fruits
- 6 or more different fresh vegetables
Whole Grains
- 1 or more whole grains
- Examples include:
- 100% whole grains
- Ex. rolled oats, barley, Bulgar, faro, millet, quinoa, brown rice, wild rice
- Whole grain rich bread, pasta, and tortillas
- Contains whole grain as the first ingredient (ex. 100% whole wheat, whole corn, etc.)
- 100% whole grains
Proteins
- 1 or more lean proteins
- Examples include:
- Poultry, lean beef, lean pork (fresh or frozen)
- Fresh whole eggs
- Canned white meats
- Low sodium, canned in water when possible (ex. low sodium canned chicken)
- Fish
- Fresh, frozen, or canned in water
- Canned/dry beans or lentils
- No sugar or salt added
- Nuts/nut butters
- Unsalted, no sugar added (when possible)
Purchased Products:
- FFP is committed to having our purchasing reflect a balanced diet as described by Feeding America, San Diego Food Bank, and USDA’s MyPlate.
- FFP will continue to approach nutrition holistically and consider physical, spiritual and cultural needs.
Donated Products:
- We will communicate healthy food drive and donation guidelines to all donors:
- Meat and proteins: beef stew, chicken stew, chili, tuna, lentil soup, peanut butter, nutritional drinks for seniors (i.e. Ensure)
- Dried goods and canned goods: all canned fruits and vegetables, pastas and pasta sauce, canned and bottled juices, macaroni and cheese, dried beans and peas, rice, breakfast cereals and oatmeal, bread, tortillas, crackers, soups, flour, sugar, cooking oils
- Dairy: powdered and canned milk (unsweetened)
- Baby items: baby foods (no formulas)
- For safe handling purposes, FFP does not accept donations in glass containers.
Distributed Products
- FFP does not distribute:
- Alcohol
- Soda
- Candy
- Damaged and unsafe foods
- Soda and candy is offered to volunteers but not distributed to clients
Donations to our Partners
- Foods provided by FFP to our partners organizations will reflect our nutrition values with the goal to provide foods from all 4 food groups
- FFP does not provide food to partner organizations that we do not ourselves distribute (i.e. sodas, candy, damaged goods, etc.)
Continuing Considerations
- The nutrition policy will be reviewed on an annual basis.