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Donation Guidelines

When assembling a bag of food, please choose from a variety of food groups to create a balanced meal.  Metal cans are preferable. Whenever possible, choose plastic containers rather than glass.

The Greater Boston Food Bank's Nutrition Department and Food Group created these guidelines. Click here to view a version of the guidelines.

The Food Categories

Milk Group: Milk - dried, evaporated, and boxed (such as Parmalaat)

Meat Group: Beef stew, bean soup, baked beans, nuts, peanut butter, beans, and peas (dried or canned), chili, tuna fish, chicken, and salmon (canned)

Vegetable Group: Tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, vegetables (canned), tomato juice

Fruit Group: Raisins and other dried fruit, applesauce, any variety of canned fruit in its own juice

Grain Group: Crackers, oatmeal, cream of wheat, graham crackers, whole grain breads, whole grain rice, all types of pasta, ready to eat low sugar/high fiber cereal (Cheerios, Raisin Bran, etc.)

Please note: We cannot accept baby food through food drives.