A number of studies have shown the association between food insecurity and chronic diseases, like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. Many of these chronic diseases are preventable with good nutrition and physical activity. Food banks play an important role in providing the food that families need. Healthy food donations include providing more fresh, locally sourced produce, frozen and canned fruits and vegetables, protein sources (like tuna and beans), whole grains, and staples to cook at home instead of eating out. 

The Safe and Healthy Food Pantries Project is a toolkit of resources for food pantries to assess and improve both the nutritional quality of food provided and the food safety practices. FoodWIse presented to about 25 food pantry staff and volunteers at the Sheboygan County Food Bank’s quarterly networking meeting. These meetings are held to provide networking and education for the 19 food pantries that operate in Sheboygan County with support from the Sheboygan County Food Bank. As a result of the presentation, staff and volunteers have been made aware of the resources and tools that exist to improve food safety and nutrition. They were provided with the resources needed to make positive changes at their food pantries. The Sheboygan County Food Bank staff have prioritized this as a need to improve in the future and will work closely with the individual food pantries that want to make changes.  https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/safehealthypantries/