The Mississauga Food Bank regularly solicits input from a Registered Nutritionist to ensure that the food received by clients is in compliance with Canada’s Food Guide. We recently received a report from the nutritionist who visited with us, and would like to share the report with you.
~~~
This letter is in response to your request for a nutritional assessment of donated food by The Mississauga Food Bank to its clients. This report is based on three cart samples that were provided by your establishment; one cart contained food for one client which is to last them for seven to ten days, the second cart contained food for a family of four for seven to ten days and the last cart was for an infant approximately six months to one and a half years old for seven to ten days.
This analysis is based on Canada’s Food Guide and except for the infant cart, represents their daily recommendations for an adult between the ages of nineteen to fifty. Canada’s Food Guide is broken down into five categories and their servings which are as follows;
Vegetables and Fruit: 7-10 servings per day where a serving is equivalent to approximately one half cup of fresh, canned or frozen produce.
Grain Products: 6-8 servings per day where a serving is represented as one slice of bread, ½ bagel or ½ cup of cooked rice or pasta.
Milk and Alternatives: 2 servings per day where a serving is represented as 50 g of cheese, 1 cup of milk or soy beverage or ¾ cup yogurt.
Meat and Alternatives: 2-3 servings per day where a serving is represented as 75g of meat, fish or chicken, 2 eggs, 2 tbsp peanut butter or ½ cup beans.
Oils and Fats: 2-3 tbsp per day.
Canada’s Food Guide ensures that if the above requirements are met, then a person is receiving all of their daily essential vitamins and minerals to maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
Cart #1 – Food for one client for seven to ten days
This cart contains approximately 45 servings of grains, 29 servings of protein, 60 servings of fruit and vegetables, 10 tbsp fat and approximately 8 servings of dairy, but there are approximately 10-12 servings of calcium available from the other foods listed. This more than meets the daily requirements listed in Canada’s food guide and this cart will last one person for seven to ten days with proper portioning.
Cart #2 – Food for a family of four, to last seven to ten days
This cart contains approximately 130 servings of carbohydrates which would be enough for 4.5 servings per day per person for seven to ten days. The protein value of this cart is approximately 33 servings which gives each person about 1 ½ servings per day for seven days. Fruits and vegetables total about 112 servings which will allow for five servings for each person for seven days. Dairy will only allow for one serving per day for seven days, but calcium will be obtained through other food items such as beans. It could be increased by offering another bag of pasta or a box of cereal per week and a couple more tins of fruit or vegetables or a bag of fresh or frozen produce. All other categories are within reasonable limits.
Cart #3 – Food for an infant approximately 6 months to 1 ½ years old
This cart contains all the recommended allowances for fruit and vegetables, protein and carbohydrates and dairy needed for seven to ten days.
Based on the items above, it is with confidence that The Mississauga Food Bank can state that it is offering its clients a well balanced and nutritional supply of food with only the one recommendation pertaining to the family of four.
~~
We are pleased that a Registered Nutritionist has stated that we are offering a well balanced and nutritional supply of food. We can only do this with your generosity and support – thank you! As you can see, dried pasta and canned fruits and vegetables are two items we are always in need of, so as you do your shopping this weekend, please pick up an extra few items for the food bank!
