I know the idea of going to a food pantry can be intimidating if you’re new to using them, and even annoying if you’ve used them before. But it’s time to remove the stigma of using food pantries and I can help you with this by telling you what to expect.
What You Need to Bring to a Food Pantry
Before you go, be sure to bring your ID, grocery bags if you have some, and patience.
How Food Pantries Work
When you get to the pantry, there is usually a table to check-in with your ID. They may ask for a few pieces of personal information like your name, address, if you’ve been there before, and possibly an estimate of monthly income. However, being that so many food banks have opened the door to furloughed workers this week, it’s doubtful they’ll collect this information. And if they do, they don’t require proof- just a verbal estimate. This information is only used to help the non-profit know how much food to get and if new neighborhoods are needing food pantries. Your information is not shared with your employer, government, or anyone else.
After that, you’ll either get in line or receive a number. When it’s your turn, you can choose the food items you want from the shelves or tables and move at your own pace.
There may be an item limit. For instance, at my pantry, fruits & veggies are unlimited, but you may only be able to take 1 milk, 2 boxes of cookies, and 3 boxes of mac & cheese. You’ll be told what the limits are. If you want more, just ask.
Don’t expect to get your complete grocery shopping done, but the foods offered at pantries today go a long way and usually cover all food groups. You can expect to see fruit, vegetables, yogurt, crackers or other snacks, and potentially bread or milk. Canned goods are rare these days. However, pre-portioned bags of rice, beans, or frozen vegetables may make an appearance.
What to Do After You Collect Your Food
When you’re done shopping (despite the term, this is all free), you can likely just head to your car. Most pantries do not have a check-out process.
It's an easy, systematic, and usually efficient process. However, during the shutdown expect long waits as more people are using the pantries than normal.
Please feel free to email us if you have any questions. No question is silly! ZESTNutritionService@gmail.com
If you're in the Fort Collins, CO area, peruse our website for a lot more resources and Deals on Meals in Old Town!
If you'd like low-cost nutrition coaching (in-person or virtual) make an appointment with a Registered Dietitian at ZESTNutritionService.com