We are gaining new donors and new Neighborhood Coordinators with each cycle so that is welcome news! If you have friends who may like to become donors, please let us know and we will provide them with the project’s information.
On average, combined donation every cycle has been over 700 pounds of food. That means that since the Orcas Food Project’s inception just one year ago we’ve donated over 4,000 pounds of food - - healthy, nonperishable food which our Food Bank has specifically requested. This goes a long way in making many of our neighbors’ lives a little easier. Your single green bag provides about 10 meals.
We are now back to our normal pick-up cycle of “every 2nd Sunday, every even month.” That places our next collection date on Sunday April 14th, 2024. We will send routine reminders in advance of that date.
June Food List
Healthy Protein Kids’ Snack Bars
· Suggested Brands: Protein ZBar, Bobo’s Protein, Luna Bars, Zing Bars, Kind, Clif, Field Day, Nature’s Bakery, health conscious, protein-rich brands
· Suggested Costco Brand: Kirkland Chewy Protein Bars
· Size: Any
*Note: While shopping for kid’s snacks, please keep these asks in mind:
· YES: High in protein, high in fiber, whole grains
· NO: High fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, high in sugar
This item will benefit our youth customers.
Soft Snack Bars for Seniors
· Suggested Island Market Brands: Belvita Soft Baked, Kind Nut Butter, Nature’ Valley Biscuits, Nature’s Bakery, NutriGrain, health-conscious brands
· Suggested Orcas Co-op Brands: Field Day, Pamela Whenever Bars, health-conscious brands
· Suggested Costco Brands: Nature’s Bakery Fig Bars
*Note: While shopping for snack bars, please keep these asks in mind:
Low in sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar.
This item will benefit our senior customers.
Pouches of Shelf-Stable Yogurt or Smoothie Pouches
· Suggested Island Market Brands: OutBurst Smoothie Pouches
· Suggested Orcas Co-op Brands: Noka Superfood Smoothies
· Suggested Costco Brands: GoGo Squeeze Yogurtz
*Note: OutBurst Smoothie Pouches can be found near the applesauce in the front of Island Market. Noka Smoothie Pouches can be found on the end of the aisle near check-out in the co-op. While shopping for yogurt and smoothie pouches, please keep sugar content in mind.
This item will benefit our senior customers:
Low-Sodium Canned Soup
· Suggested Island Market Brands: Amy's Low-Sodium Soups (please only buy cans with orange band that says “Low Sodium” around the top), Campbell’s Low-Sodium Soup
· Suggested Orcas Co-op Brands: Amy's Low-Sodium Soups (please only buy cans with orange band that says “Low Sodium” around the top)
*Note: Please double check that you are purchasing a low-sodium soup! Many soups have too much sodium in them to distribute to our senior customers.
This item will benefit our senior customers and customers with limited kitchen access.
Pouches of Tuna or Pop-Top Cans of Tuna
· Suggested Island Market and Orcas Food Co-op Brand: Any
· Suggested Costco Brand: Chicken of the Sea Wild-Caught Pop-Top EZ Open Cans
*Note: Pop-top cans and pouches of tuna are especially helpful for our unhoused customers!
This item will benefit senior customers and customers with limited kitchen access.
Tuna Salad with Crackers Packaged Snacks
· Suggested Island Market Brands: BumbleBee Snack on the Run Tuna Salad with Crackers
· Suggested Orcas Co-op Brands: n/a
· Suggested Island Market Brands: BumbleBee Snack on the Run Tuna Salad with Crackers
This item will benefit our customers with limited kitchen access.
Healthy Crackers and Snacks for Kids
· Suggested Island Market Brands: Whole Grain Ritz, Any whole grain, lower sodium crackers.
· Suggested Orcas Co-op Brands: Annie’s Graham Cracker Bunnies & Assorted Snacks, Field Day Whole Grain Crackers, Simple Mills Seed Crackers, Back to Nature Crackers
· Suggested Costco Brands: Annie’s Bunny Snack Packs, PopChips 30-pack, Wheat Thins, Made Good Granola Minis
*Note: Please be mindful of sodium and sugar content, and when possible, get whole-grain options.
This item will benefit our youth customers.
Specialty Item or Cultural Wildcard
· Suggestions: Products that are part of your household’s food culture, pickled items, condiments, coffee, black or herbal tea, spices, baking mixes or ingredients, dried fruit, honey.
** Please be mindful of expiration dates and include only non-expired items. Thank you so much!
Orcas Island Food Bank
116 Madrona Street, Eastsound WA 98245 • P.O. Box 424
Copyright © 2023 Orcas Island Food Bank - All Rights Reserved