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Suggested Food Packages

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Suggested Food Packages

Food Bank of Central New York strives to ensure that all families utilizing the emergency food network receive nutritious food.

To meet this goal, member food pantries are required to use a uniform guide based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPlate recommendations to meet a five day pantry package. These recommendations translate into pantry packages that consist of 50% fruits and vegetables, 25% to 33% grains (50% of which should be whole grains), and the remainder should consist of food from the protein group (meat, dairy, and legumes).

To help our Partner Agencies distribute food in a fair and equitable manner while following the nutrition recommendations, the Food Bank offers a five-day minimum package guideline that aligns with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPlate recommendations:

Five Day Food Package Guide with Client Choice List

Client Choice: A client choice pantry allows customers to select their own foods instead of receiving a pre-packed bag of groceries. This means they will not receive food they already have, do not like or cannot eat for health or personal reasons. Under this model, Clients may select foods within food groups so they can prepare well-balanced meals at home. 

The Food Bank requires that Partner Agency’s Food Pantry programs offer a form of client choice.