Food Pantry Protocol & Etiquette 101 - The DV Walking Wounded:

I was raised that you never ask for help, financially, that is…that you must solve your own issues on your own and legally (of course!). However, upon leaving an abusive marriage, I had to get out of my comfort zone and do things and ask for things that I never fathomed: I had to attend food pantries (because I technically made “too much” to qualify for food stamps). It was getting toward Christmas time and I did not know how I was going to afford my youngest’s Christmas. I was fearful, but “stuck” in freeze mode.

Friends of mine both told me to apply for “Shop With a Cop” and go to local food pantries. I told them we were “fine” and that I would be “taking from the mouths of others,” but they knew better. It was my DV advocate that told me that I needed to go to the food pantries, that it was “not about [you], Laura. It’s about feeding those that you love. You need this, so you’re not stealing from anyone.” She was right. I had people to feed!

I am now feeding two households, so I am having to utilize food pantries help me to afford to feed everyone (I still technically make too much to qualify for food stamps…STILL). There is a protocol for food pantries, that you should be aware of, should you need to utilize them.

• Put the food pantry(s) on your calendar, to schedule it/them into your routine
• Get to the food pantry early, for the best selection and to get through as quickly and efficiently as possible
• Bring your state ID or license and a recent paystub with you, should the pantry have registration and/or need-based requirements
• Bring boxes and reuseable shopping bags with you. I like to have a freezer keeper bag or small cooler for refrigerated and/or frozen items, to transport them safely home.
• There is usually A LOT of waiting, so bring your own book. If you have to bring child[ren], fully charge a tablet or mobile device to entertain them. Also, bring snacks for everyone. There really is quite a bit of waiting! Hand sanitizer is also a good thing to keep with you!

Once you get home with the donated food, put it away as soon as possible. I always clean out my fridge the night before, so I have room. I pull things out of the freezer a night or two before I’m going to use them and make sure that it’s cleaned out as well. I also take a look at my pantry dry good items for any expired items.

I highly recommend looking at ALL of the food that was donated to you and your family, as you’re sorting and putting it away. Make sure it is fresh, within “use by” or “sell by” date, and sort it so it can be put away as a dry good, refrigerated item, or a freezable item. Make sure you use the “first in, first out” method, to make sure you’re using the oldest items first. Safety first!

The “use by” and “sell by” dates on food items serve different purposes related to food safety and quality:

1. Use By Date:

• Purpose: Indicates the last date by which the product should be consumed for safety reasons.
• Meaning: After the “use by” date, the food may not be safe to eat, even if it looks and smells fine. This is especially important for perishable items like dairy, meat, and prepared foods.
• Consumer Focus: This date is meant for the consumer, and food should not be eaten after this date for health and safety reasons.

2. Sell By Date:

• Purpose: Guides retailers on how long to display the product for sale.
• Meaning: After the “sell by” date, the product may still be safe to consume but might not be at its best quality (taste, texture, or appearance). Retailers are advised to pull items from the shelf by this date.
• Retailer Focus: This is aimed at stores, and consumers can often still eat the product a few days or even weeks after the “sell by” date, depending on the type of food and how it’s stored.

Key Difference:

• “Use By”: A safety-related date for consumers.
• “Sell By”: A quality-related date for retailers.

While “sell by” suggests freshness and quality, “use by” directly relates to food safety, especially for perishable goods.

I certainly hope this helps! The goal is safe eating! Many food pantries get the food items they do because they are close to or past the “sell by” date. Always be thankful and thank the food pantry volunteers for the food! There are even pet food pantries, that provide pet food for dogs and cats. Go to the https://www.pethelpfinder.org/ website for more information on resources near you!