Grocery Bag Ideas

Ideally each bag would contain nonperishable food to feed a family of 3 for 2-3 days. We have a culturally diverse clientele and a few families with specific dietary needs. Please consider packing one of our culturally specific or dietary needs bags. If packing a specialty bag, please label the bag very clearly with a sharpie. 

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Any questions, suggestions, or ideas, please contact us at nourishfoodpantry@gmail.com.

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Thank you for helping our community!!

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Nourish Food Pantry Team

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Non-Specific Food Bag

Meats, Fish & Protein: canned tuna, ham, or chicken, SPAM, peanut butter, canned/dried beans, shelf stable milk, nuts, dried fruit, lentils, jerky

Fruits & Vegetables: fruit juice, canned fruits & vegetables, instant potatoes, jams & jellies, canned tomatoes

Complete Meals: pasta & sauce, boxed meals, hearty soups, stews, and chilis, mac & cheese, ramen noodles, SpaghettiOs

Grains: boxed cereal, oatmeal, cereal bars, grits, rice, quinoa

Pantry: chips, crackers, sugar, flour, cooking oil, spices & seasonings, cookies

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**If preparing a gluten free or vegetarian bag, please read labels carefully while shoppping.

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East African

Meats, Fish & Protein: navy, fava, or great northern beans, yellow split peas, brown or red lentils, chick peas, canned tuna, canned sardines, beef jerky, corned beef

Fruits & Vegetables: canned tomatoes, tomato paste, canned fruit (all varieties), coconut

Pasta & Grains: basmati or other long grain rice, pasta

Pantry: all-purpose white, wheat, semolina, or teff flour, vinegar, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, corn flour, powdered milk, condense milk

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**NO PORK, PLEASE; this includes most marshmallows, gelatins, and their related products

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East Asian/Japanese Food Bag

Meats, Fish & Protein: canned fish, dried small fish, soy beans

Fruits & Vegetables: kimchi, pickled vegetables, jarred garlic & ginger, dried mushrooms (shiitake), dried seaweed, fermented black beans, dried chilies

Pasta & Grains: short grain rice, udon noodles, vermicelli noodles, glass/bean thread noodles

Pantry: Japanese curry paste, soy sauce (thick and thin varieties), mirin (rice vinegar), miso, chili paste, toasted sesame, chili, or peanut oil, dashi powder, oyster sauce, green tea, fish sauce, hoisin, Chinkiang vinegar (black rice vinegar)

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Latinx Food Bag

Meats, Fish & Protein: canned fish and chicken, dried pinto or black beans, pepitas

Fruits & Vegetables: tomatoes, tomato sauce, chipotle peppers (plain and in adobo), tomatillos, dried peppers, hominy, dehydrated onions, minced garlic (jar)

Pasta: vermicelli noodles (fideo noodles), pasta

Pantry: canola or corn oil, lard, chicken bouillon, Maseca masa flour, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, Mexican chocolate, tapatio/cholula hot sauce, vinegar, Mexican cinnamon, Achiote paste

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Middle Eastern Food Bag

Meats, Fish & Protein: sardines, tuna, corned beef, lentils

Fruits & Vegetables: tomato paste, garbanzo or fava beans, dates, dried figs, olives, minced garlic (jar), dehydrated onions

Pasta & Grains: long grain rice, vermicelli noodles

Pantry: canola or olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, tahini, Zaatar, coffee, tea

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North African Food Bag

Meats, Fish & Protein: sardines, tuna, corned beef, lentils

Fruits & Vegetables: tomatoes, tomato paste, potatoes, dried red peppers, dried peas, garbanzo beans, dates, dried figs, olives, minced garlic (jar), dehydrated onions

Grains: couscous, vermicelli noodles, pasta

Pantry: canola or olive oil, wheat flour, semolina flour, garlic powder, onion powder, green tea, coffee

Tibetan Food Bag

Meats, Fish & Protein: kidney & garbanzo beans, red or brown lentils, powdered or condensed milk, nuts (almonds, cashews, pecans, pistachios, walnuts), beef jerky, SPAM

Fruits & Vegetables: canned tomatoes, canned fruit & vegetables, dried apricots & other fruits, dried chili peppers

Pasta & Grains: basmati or jasmine (or other long grain) rice, egg, ramen, or other noodles, oatmeal

Pantry: barley flour, or all-purpose white or wheat flour, salt, sugar, baking powder, cooking oil, turmeric, soy sauce, chili paste, sesame oil, fenugreek, black pepper, curry sauce, cumin, ghee, black tea, crackers, yeast

West African Food Bag

Meats, Fish & Protein: sardines, mackerel, powdered milk, sweetened condensed milk, kidney beans, black eyed peas, corned beef, dry custard

Fruits & Vegetables: tomatoes, dried corn husks, minced garlic (jar), minced ginger

Grains: rice (long or short variety), cassava flour, pounded yam flour, fufu mix, farina, gari

Pantry: palm nut, peanut, or vegetable oil, coriander, cumin, turmeric, curry bay leaves, garlic powder, thyme, chili powder, red pepper flakes, chicken bouillon

Household & Personal Care Items

Paper Products: toilet paper, paper towels, facial tissue, napkins

Cleaning Supplies: laundry detergent, dryer sheets, kitchen & bathroom cleaners, dishwasher soap, dish soap, sponges, toilet bowl cleaner, antibacterial wipes

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Personal Care: bar soap, hand soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo & conditioner, razors, lotion, face wash, body wash, shaving gel or foam

Feminine Hygiene: pads, tampons

Summertime: sunscreen, band aids, anti-itch cream (cortizone), bug spray

Infant Care

General: baby food, infant cereal (rice or oat), formula, diapers (all sizes), wipes, butt paste

Pet Care

General: dog food (wet & dry), cat food (wet & dry), kitty litter, dog & cat treats