Little Free Pantries

Little free pantries, also known as “blessing boxes” or “little food pantries,” are easily accessible, miniature food pantries. Stocked by neighbors for neighbors, little free pantries are crowd-sourced solution to addressing limited food access needs in communities. Click here to learn more about little free pantries, how the LSU AgCenter can offer support, and what we suggest donating. Click the link below to find our Little Free Pantry Implementation Guide to start your own! To register an existing little free pantry, request a sponsor, or provide sponsorship for a little free pantry in Louisiana, visit https://littlefreepantryla.com/.

Little Free Pantry Implementation Guide

How to Donate Healthy Foods

Many people who face food insecurity want a healthy diet, but unhealthy foods are often easier to access. By donating nutritious options, you can put healthy food within reach for your neighbors experiencing food insecurity. Here are some tips to consider when making food donations. To learn more about supporting healthy eating in your community, reach out to your local LSU AgCenter Nutrition & Community Health (NCH) agent.

1. Low Sodium Foods

Look for foods labeled as "low sodium" or "no salt added." These options help individuals maintain healthy blood pressure and reduce heart disease risk. Examples include:

• Canned vegetables with "low sodium" or “no salt added” labels.
• Low sodium canned beans and soups.
• Low sodium whole grain pasta.

2. Foods with No Added Sugar

Choose items with no added sugars or those labeled as "unsweetened" to help prevent obesity and related health issues like type 2 diabetes. Consider donating:

• Fruit canned in water or 100% juice.
• Unsweetened apple sauce.
• 100% fruit or vegetable juice.
• Dried fruit with no added sugar.
• Unsweetened tea or coffee.

3. Whole Grains

Whole grains provide essential nutrients and are a healthier option compared to refined grains. Look for items with "whole grain" or "whole wheat" listed as the first ingredient. Examples include:

• Whole grain pasta, breads, and crackers.
• Whole grain cereals with no added sugar.
• Brown rice.
• Oatmeal.
• Stone-ground grits.

4. Canned Proteins

Protein is a very important part of a balanced diet. Donate lean protein sources that are low in sodium and fat, such as:

• Canned seafood packed in water like tuna or salmon.
• Canned chicken packed in water.
• Low sodium beans or chickpeas.
• Low sodium peanut butter with no added sugar.

5. Healthy Snacks

Snacks can be healthy when chosen wisely. Donate nutritious snacks that are low in salt, sugar, and saturated fats like:

• Unsalted nuts and seeds.
• Dried fruits with no added sugars.
• Low fat string cheese.
• Hummus.
• Air popped, low-salt popcorn.

6. Fresh Produce

Not all food donation centers can accept fresh produce due to storage limitations. If the center can store fresh items, consider donating:

• Items that do not require refrigeration, like apples, oranges, and potatoes.
• Produce that is undamaged and unblemished.

7. Bonus Tips for Healthy Donations

• Ensure items have not expired to guarantee freshness and safety.
• Donate items in their original packaging to ensure safety and clarity on nutritional content and preparation instructions.
• Include items that meet dietary restrictions such as gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan options.

Client-Choice Food Pantry Guide

While food pantries share the common goal of addressing food insecurity in communities, they can vary widely in terms of operation, food and services provided, and clientele. Among the tens of thousands of food pantries that exist in the United States, client-choice models have become increasingly popular as a way to promote food security and nutrition while also preserving clients’ dignity and autonomy. This guide is intended for food pantries interested in adopting a client-choice model. Find the guide here!

Food Donation Guidelines

These guidelines outline nutrition standards for donated food items. Whether your organization runs a food pantry, meal program, community fridge, or any other food distribution program, these guidelines can help your clients maintain a healthy lifestyle by offering items that meet certain nutritional standards. Customize the guidelines by adding your organization's name at the top of the document. Find the guidelines here!

Safe Food Handling and Storage in Food Pantries

Food pantries play a vital role in supplementing the diets of individuals and families in the communities they serve. To ensure that all pantry clientele, especially those that may be at a higher risk for contracting foodborne illness, receive safe food, pantries must follow proper food handling and storage practices. This document provides guidance to food pantries on best practices for food safety. Find the guide here!

Accepting SNAP for Farmers Market Vendors

At farmers markets, SNAP benefits may be accepted by individual vendors or by the market on behalf of multiple vendors. This guide is intended for individual farmers interested in becoming SNAP-authorized vendors. Download "How to Accept SNAP Benefits at Farmers Markets: A Guide for Vendors" here!

Farmers Market SNAP Toolkit

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal program that provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of low-income families. This toolkit provides information and resources for small and/or rural farmers markets interested in accepting SNAP benefits. This document aims to assist markets with a limited capacity in designing programs suitable for their communities. Developed by Louisiana Central and LSU AgCenter Healthy Communities. Find the toolkit here!

Disaster Recovery for Farmers

In the wake of natural disasters, many farmers face a long road to recovery. To help the local food system bounce back as quickly as possible, we created this list of tools, resources, and funding opportunities for farmers recovery from disasters. Find the guide here!

LSU AgCenter PSE Quick Reference Guide

Although the LSU AgCenter PSE Quick Reference guide was originally developed for LSU AgCenter Extension agents and educators to use when exploring which PSE (policy, systems, and environmental) interventions are suitable for their communities and allowable with funding from their grant or program, this guide can serve as a useful resource for other extension programs and heath-focus organizations interested in implementing PSE changes. This is not an exhaustive document, so there may be opportunities that are not listed in this guide. Download the LSU AgCenter PSE Quick Reference Guide here!