Spring into the Extra Helping Spring Food Drive

Spring has finally sprung! And as we head out to enjoy the sunshine and outdoor activities, it's a reality that some families may struggle to find healthy meals that fuel this new-found energy. For thousands across our province it can be a struggle just to know where the next meal or snack is coming from. Each month across our province more than 27 000 people, almost 40 percent of them children, turn to a local food bank for assistance. So not only is spring a time of renewal, it's also a time for dwindling resources at food banks across our province. 

“Hunger is a constant reality for far too many families in Newfoundland and Labrador,” says Egbert Walters with the Community Food Sharing Association. “The Extra Helping Food Drive is essential in helping local food banks replenish their stock and address the issue of hunger in our communities.” During the food drive, all Loblaw locations in St. John’s, Mount Pearl and Paradise will collect food and funds directly for The Community Food Sharing Association and be distributed to these communities as well as others in need across our province. For all other communities, food that is donated locally will go directly to one or more designated food banks in that community. Cash donations can also be made and as a thank you for every donation of five dollars or more, stores will be offering customers a coupon book filled with great savings on grocery store items. 

If you are looking for some inspiration on foods to donate here are some most needed, nutritious items. Canned soup and stew; peanut butter; canned beans; macaroni and cheese; dried pasta, noodles and rice; pasta sauce; canned meat and fish; beans and legumes; canned vegetables and fruit; canned/powdered milk; breakfast cereal; and baking supplies. For smart shopping, consider a few things for a food bank donation. Choose more nutrient dense options, including low-sodium soups, canned items packed in water or their own juice (like tuna and fruit), unsweetened juices and fruit sauces (like 100% juice and applesauce), whole grain pastas, brown rice, and whole-grain, high-fibre unsweetened cereals. When you are shopping keep an eye out for shelf tags featuring the Extra Helping logo that make it easy for you to locate some of these products. To stretch those grocery dollars even further, consider club packs of grocery items or economical noname brand products as donation items.

Try this high-energy snack made from canned chickpeas. Chickpeas are a great option for donating to the Extra Helping Spring Food Drive because they are an economical choice that pack big health benefits, such as helping to prevent cancer and heart disease and regulating blood sugar. Plus, they are loaded with antioxidants, protein, and fibre.  They can be used in a variety of soups, stews, salads and more! In the recipe below, you can replace the za’atar spice blend with your favourite spice blend.

Crispy Spicy Chickpeas

Ingredients:

1 can (540 mL)     PC Blue Menu Chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 tbsp. (15 mL)     olive oil
Pinch                     sea salt
1 tsp (5 mL)          PC Black Label Za'atae spice blend
1/2 tsp (2 mL)       cayenne pepper

Instructions:

1.      Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

2.      In bowl, toss together chickpeas, olive oil and salt. Spread onto rimmed baking sheet. Bake in centre of oven for 30 minutes or until crispy, shaking the baking sheet occasionally.

3.      In small bowl, stir together za’atar and cayenne. Sprinkle evenly over chickpeas; stir to coat. Return to oven; bake for 10 minutes longer. Cool before serving.

Serves 4. Per serving: 160 calories, fat 5 g (of which 1 g is saturated), sodium 40 g, carbohydrate 21 g, fibre 4 g, protein 7 g.

Recipe source: www.pc.ca

As seen in The Telegram April 22, 2013