Take Action: Share the Good Stuff

Photo from michael.seth on Flickr

I started heavily getting into couponing a little over a year ago. I was getting tons of great deals (many things for free), building my stockpile, and had plenty left over to give away. However, most of those great deals were for heavily processed, nutrient-void foods. Throughout the past year, I've donated many bags of it to a local food bank, church, school, and whoever else could use it. In theory, this is all fine and dandy. When we're blessed with an abundance, we should share it with others who need it. I'm a strong believer in volunteer work and donations - we should all pitch in and help out somehow.

As I learned more about the chemicals and lack of nutrients in the "food," the hamster started spinning the wheel in my head. If I won't eat this food, why in the world am I buying it to subject other people to it?

For the school/church/etc.: Junk food is often a reward in schools, churches, and other kid-related groups. I've donated my fair share of junk food: cookies, ice cream, chocolate, candies, sodas, and "theater style" popcorn with lots of salt and butter. I've been blindly participating in the conspiracy to get kids hooked on junk food. It makes them hyperactive, fills them up so they don't want dinner, and gives a bad example that all of this stuff is fine for their bodies. As a teacher, class parties are the worst...cupcakes, cookies, sodas, candies. Nothing else can be done after they've had all of that. My question: How did we get started giving so much junk food to the kids? They'll still like rewards that aren't edible, and parties can include sweet fruits or fruit juices, frozen yogurt, and frozen juice pops. There are also somewhat healthier brands to replace Chips Ahoy.

And the food bank: By donating to a food bank, I may be introducing a family to a new food. If they get back on their feet, they may buy more just because they've tried it and liked it. People who receive these donations are also probably not getting many whole foods, like fresh fruits and vegetables...all they'll receive is the kind of food I donate. It will be my fault that they're eating such low-grade food.

Most food banks can't keep fresh foods, so processed is generally the only option. But some processed foods are definitely worse than others. I volunteered at the food bank in my community for a day and noticed the kinds of things they try to put in every food bag - sugar or flour, rice or pasta, grits or oatmeal, cereal, peanut butter and jelly, and canned meat, veggies, beans, fruit, and soup. I can at least donate unbleached flower, raw sugar, whole wheat pasta, brown rice, and fruit in 100% fruit juice. Also, ask if your local food bank has a fridge and/or freezer - I can donate frozen veggies to the one in my community.

We can't battle the fake food epidemic and the stronghold of Big Food companies by keeping all of the good food news to ourselves. The biggest impression will be made in sharing the food so other families can try it for themselves. Let's get others used to these healthier versions by sharing "the good stuff" whenever we're donating food.