Making healthy holiday dining more accessible

Eating heart-healthy foods during the holidays is made exponentially easier when folks have access to nutritious options. Throughout the year, many local families must turn to food banks and pantries, with nearly one in three households in Washington facing food insecurity. Of those, 60% have children in the home. Because of these stats, nonprofits like the American Heart Association encourage companies and community groups to host holiday food drives that stock shelves with healthier options — ones that are high in nutrition and culturally relevant, too.

Cherish Hart, vice president of Community Impact, Puget Sound, shares that typically, holiday food drives bring in a lot of the same types of food that are collected year-round — primarily packaged or canned shelf-stable items. “These are great since they have a long shelf life and are easy to store,” she says. “However, if not chosen carefully they often are high in sodium and added sugar.”

“Affordable, healthy food is a critical component to overall health and well-being,” says Diane Oakes, chief mission officer, Delta Dental of Washington. Their organization aims to disrupt, transform and revolutionize the oral health industry, in hopes of removing barriers to health care and improving the population’s overall health. One of those barriers is cost.

At this time of year, cash donations can be helpful, Hart says, as many food-access organizations can stretch funds farther through bulk purchases. It also allows them to purchase fresh or frozen items that are difficult to gather through food drives. 

When it comes to purchasing products, Hart recommends reviewing the needs of the recipient organization, since they’ll often list on their website what’s needed most — and what would meet the unique needs of the community they serve. “Unless you know that the organization you are donating to has capacity to accept fresh or frozen items (lean meats, fresh produce, eggs, dairy) you should look for canned vegetables that have low or no sodium, fruit packed in juice or extra-light syrup and whole-grain products,” she says. “Proteins like fish or chicken packed in water, shelf-stable tofu, and nuts are also helpful.” Additionally, consider spices — such as oregano, cumin, chili powder, cinnamon and sage — that can be hard to come by yet prove an important part of families cooking and enjoying nutritious and delicious meals together.

Hurdles that prevent folks from accessing these products include the continual rise in food costs, which makes it hard for people to afford groceries, plus fresh, healthier options are often more expensive. Additionally, many neighborhoods don’t have food available to purchase nearby. “These ‘food deserts,’ ” Hart explains, “are often a result of structural inequities due to racist practices, such as redlining. Imagine not having reliable transportation and the only places to buy food near your home are convenience stores, for example.”

It’s also important to consider that many holiday meals and distributions center on “traditional” holidays, and these differ for various cultures. “There are many families in our community that celebrate holidays and enjoy food traditions outside of turkey and potatoes,” she says. “Ensuring their needs are honored is important.”

Hart shares that about half of the people who are food insecure also said that their diet has worsened since the pandemic began. This means it’s not just a lack of food, but also quality and nutrition needed have been impacted. “Good nutrition is an important basis for heart health,” Hart summarizes. “Eating healthier meals is easier when families and individuals can afford and have access to nutritious foods. Lack of access to healthy foods, on the other hand, can contribute to chronic disease, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, and even things like tooth decay. That’s due in part to the consumption of unhealthy foods typically available through food-access organizations.”

 The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with organizations and volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources.