Written by Kelly Jones, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN from eatreallivewell.com

According to the Coalition Against Hunger, 10% of Bucks County residents and 15% of Bucks County children are food insecure.

When an individual or family is food insecure, they have a reduced quality and variety in their diet. We often perceive people who are overweight as being food secure, due to excess body fat, however, in many cases, their limited income causes them to rely on food pantry items which are often heavily processed, calorie dense, and low in nutrients. This contributes to the nutrition paradox where we see people dying from both hunger and obesity-associated illnesses. Since hunger is the body’s physiological need for food and nutrients, many food insecure children and households are constantly hungry for nutrients their body requires, despite consuming food that fills their stomach. Note that the statistics above are for low food security only, and do not account for those who may deal with marginal food security – where resources are limited enough to cause constant anxiety about access to food in the near future.

USDA Descriptions for Food Security and Insecurity
Food Insecurity Low Food Security Reduced quality and variety of diet with a small reduction in food intake.
Very Low Food Security Multiple indications of disrupted eating and reduced food intake.
Food Security Marginal Food Security 1-2 indications of food access problems: typically anxiety over food insufficiency or shortage with little to no change in food intake.
High Food Security No indications of food access problems or limitations

 

Join us this National Nutrition Month as we Go Further With Food to reduce food insecurity in Bucks.

Rather than reach back in your pantry and grab the foods you don’t want, pick up an item (or a bunch!) on your next grocery trip that you’d purchase to nourish your own family!

Who benefits?

We’ll be donating our collections from the month of March to the Hunger Nutrition Coalition of Bucks County.

How can you donate?

Drop off your items at the front desk at any time during National Nutrition Month (March)

What you get in return.

When you donate, add your name to the list at the front desk to be entered to win a nutrition product prize pack or one of several free 30 minute nutrition consultations with our dietitian.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Nutrition Month Food Drive Donation List

Produce

  • Canned no or low sodium vegetables and tomatoes
  • No sugar added tomato sauces
  • Canned salsa
  • Dried fruit (unsweetened and ulsulfured)
  • Fruit packed in water (no syrup or artificial sweeteners)
  • No sugar added applesauce
  • Fruit preserves (fruit as first ingredient, no corn syrups)

Starches

  • Dry grains: oats, buckwheat, farro, bulgur, barley, quinoa, brown rice etc.
  • Whole grain pasta
  • Bean based pasta
  • Whole grain, low sugar (less than 7g/serving) cereals
  • Whole grain pancake, waffle, or bread mixes (no additives)

Proteins

  • Low sodium canned beans
  • Canned tuna, salmon, chicken
  • Dry beans and lentils
  • Low sodium bean or lentil soups

Healthy Fats

  • Natural peanut butter, sunflower seed butter (no hydrogenated oils)
  • Nuts and seeds
  • Olive or avocado oils & cooking sprays

Other

  • Shelf stable milk or soymilk
  • Shelf stable hummus (like hummustir)
  • Dry corn kernels for popping
  • Real honey
  • Seasonings
    • Single spices
    • Mixtures (ex: taco) without MSG and chemical additives

At the NAC we know that your nutrition is equally as important as your fitness regimen. For more information on membership at the Newtown Athletic Club, complete the form below.

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