Check nutritional labels when buying, donating food | Opinion
Harry Chapin Food Bank also has refocused its attention on providing healthy options for the estimated 300,000 neighbors it serves each month
Marissa Stress-Peterson
Aug. 1, 2026, 6:02 a.m. ET
- The USDA and HHS are urging Americans to prioritize whole, nutrient-dense foods over highly processed items.
- Research links ultra-processed foods, often consumed by low-income groups, to over 30 health conditions.
- Florida has restricted the use of SNAP benefits for purchasing sugary drinks, candy, and certain desserts.
- The Harry Chapin Food Bank is focusing on providing nutritious options by distributing millions of pounds of fresh produce.
Health-conscious individuals are deliberate when shopping for groceries
Before they place items in their cart, they’ll carefully read nutritional labels, paying close attention to ingredients, allergens, preservatives, and other factors. They are considering their health – not just the price tag – to make a buying decision
Earlier this year, the USDA essentially flipped its food pyramid that for generations has advised Americans about their food choices. A joint message from secretaries of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services stated the following: “American households must prioritize diets built on whole, nutrient-dense foods – protein, dairy, vegetables, fruits, healthy fats and whole grains. Paired with a dramatic reduction in highly processed foods laden with refined carbohydrates, added sugars, excess sodium, unhealthy fats and chemical additives, this approach can change the health trajectory for so many Americans.”
Their message is important for all consumers, especially those coming from lower-income families
The federal government’s Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion notes research showing, “Low-income groups tend to rely on foods that are cheap and convenient to access but are often low in nutrients.” A report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association notes that ultra-processed foods found in ready-to-eat meals, snacks and sugary drinks have been associated with more than 30 health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, poor sleep and mental health disorders. Wealthy or not, healthy Americans make a healthier America.
Nationally, there is a movement to focus Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits on healthier options. In April, Florida began restricting SNAP benefits so recipients could no longer use federal funds to purchase soda, energy drinks, candy and ultra-processed prepared desserts. In turn, families would spend their SNAP benefits on foods that are more nutritious, like vegetables, fruits and proteins
Though not legally compelled, Harry Chapin Food Bank also has refocused its attention on providing healthy options for the estimated 300,000 neighbors it serves each month. In 2025, the organization distributed 38.7 million pounds of food across the five-county region. Of that total, 12 million pounds were fresh fruits and vegetables, much of which were grown right here in Southwest Florida. The fact that 31% of food distributed was fresh produce means we’re heading in the right direction, but there is more work to do.
A generations-old criticism of food banks and food pantries is that they provide lower-quality, off-brand products. The team at Harry Chapin Food Bank, however, pays close attention to nutritional labels, just like that health-conscious shopper in a supermarket. In 2023, the Food Bank adopted the Healthy Eating Research nutrition guidelines created specifically for the charitable food system, which provides everyone – regardless of income – with access to foods that fuel an active, healthy lifestyle. We want the neighbors we serve to consume a nutrient-rich, balanced diet that checks the boxes for recommended amounts of healthy proteins, whole grains, fruits, vegetables and dairy. Families, children, seniors and veterans in our community deserve to have a plate filled with vitamins and minerals that keep their bodies and minds functioning at optimal levels.
Health-conscious shoppers avoid purchasing and consuming “empty calories,” like sugary treats and beverages, processed snack foods such potato chips and pretzels, candy bars and other items found near the checkout line at grocery stores. These shoppers pay especially close attention to three lines on nutritional labels: Sugar; Sodium; Saturated fat
Harry Chapin Food Bank is encouraging the community to join our efforts to build a healthier population through healthier food. Southwest Floridians can make a secure monetary donation online at HarryChapinFoodBank.org. This allows the Food Bank to purchase fresh produce in bulk directly from local growers while expediting delivery of refrigerated and frozen foods
Good health starts with informed choices. Harry Chapin Food Bank is committed to making those choices possible for every neighbor, regardless of income, by prioritizing nutritious foods and encouraging donations that support balanced diets
Marissa Stress-Peterson is chief operating officer of Harry Chapin Food Bank, Southwest Florida’s largest hunger-relief nonprofit and the region’s only Feeding America partner food bank. Learn more by visiting HarryChapinFoodBank.org
