Meal Baskets are thoughtfully prepared packages that provide complete, nutritious meals for families experiencing food insecurity. Each basket includes a balanced assortment of non-perishable and fresh items—such as grains, proteins, vegetables, and fruits—along with simple recipe cards to help families cook healthy meals at home. Our volunteers plan, assemble, and distribute these baskets around holidays and high-need periods, ensuring that every family receives enough food to create several wholesome meals. Beyond providing nourishment, the Meal Basket initiative fosters dignity, connection, and hope by allowing families to gather and share food together.
Kids Talk About Nutritious Food:
Hi Guys,
Did you know that pancakes are back 3000 years ago? Check out some cool nutritious food about sour foods.
Bacon and Eggs:
- Bacon and eggs have been enjoyed at family breakfast tables for centuries, lending to this breakfast combo being a comfort food for many
- Not only does it provide comfort and tastes phenomenal, bacon and eggs also contain various health benefits
- Eggs and bacon are an easy and tasty way to incorporate nutrients into your diet, as they can be easily fried and cooked to your liking
- They are rich with protein, helping promote muscle and bone health
- Eggs increase levels of HDL, which lowers the risk of illnesses like heart disease
- Eggs also contain choline, which aids in the building of cell membranes and the creation of the brain’s signal molecules
- “Are you looking for a quick and easy breakfast? Bacon and eggs have been a popular breakfast combo for centuries. Not only do they taste phenomenal but they are super easy to make. An egg and bacon meal is a great way to incorporate nutrients into your diet. They are packed with protein which can help strengthen muscle and bone health. Eggs also increase levels of High-density lipoprotein cholesterol also known as good cholesterol which lowers the risk of illnesses like heart disease.”
Cheesy Pasta:
- Originating in Italy, Cheese and Pasta have always been linked together
- It’s decadent texture became a symbol of social status
- Cheese is a source of calcium, probiotics, and vitamins
- Pasta is one of the most versatile ingredients–it can be boiled, steamed, fried, sauteed, etc!
Chickpea Avocado Wrap:
- Chickpeas are a staple in African and South Asian cuisines! Avocados, on the other hand, are a staple of Mesoamerican cuisines
- Chickpeas are the 2nd most grown legume
- Avocados were first domesticated over 5,000 years ago
- Chickpeas are rich in plant protein, help maintain blood sugar, and improve gut health!
- Avocados are packed with nutrients, fight against cardiovascular disease, and is a good source of potassium–a mineral only 2% of American adults get enough of!
- “This delicious Chickpea avocado wrap combines chickpeas
- So next time give this nutrient dense chickpea avodcado wrap a try
Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta:
- Known for being a very versatile dish–add any protein you have and any vegetables you want to include for just as nutritious, just as tasty variations
- Originating in Italy, the dish gained so much popularity in America, that it split off into a version completely different from the original
- This recipe is packed with chicken breast–packed with all your essential amino acids and proteins
- Garlic, along with being very flavorful, can decrease the risk for heart disease and lowers blood pressure
Lasagna:
- One of the oldest dishes, but there’s ongoing debate if it was from Italy, Greece, or England–mostly credited toward Italy
- Lasagna is high in protein yet low in dietary cholesterol, which can give a high energy boost while helping maintain muscle mass
- A fun, kid-safe recipe to make! In fact, you can pick up a box of no-boil noodles for extra safety with younger children.
Pancakes:
- May have been around 30,000 years ago!
- A very diverse dish, with each country being able to customize it to fit their own cultures and tastes! For example, crepes from France and jianbing from China!
- Historically been food for the people! Pancakes have been traced to be a common, working class dish because of its filling nature while being packed with nutritional essentials.
- Pancakes are a good source of phosphorus and calcium. In the whole wheat version, it is also a good source of fiber!
Quesadillas:
- Originating in Mexico, the Quesadilla has a long history of being a celebrated food!
- Early versions of the Quesadilla involve corn tortillas with beans, squash, and peppers. Even back then, the quesadilla was a simple, yet satisfying meal!
- As an easy and simple base, you can get all your essential nutrients by customizing the quesadilla to your liking! It’s very easy to add your favorite toppings, protein, or vegetables!
- Tortillas provide magnesium and fiber, which can help the nervous system and your gut health!
Watermelon Shaved Ice:
- One of the easiest, sweetest, and most refreshing dishes you can make–perfect for the summer time!
- Watermelon originated in Northeast Africa, but variants of watermelon shaved ice can be found in Sicily. However, frozen fruit shaved ice has been a recently trendy summer dessert!