Rochester School District Family Food Needs as of 11-5-2025

Non-Perishable Items for Family Food Kits

Proteins

● Canned chicken, tuna, or salmon

● Canned beans (black, kidney, chickpeas, lentils, etc.)

● Canned chili, beef stew, or hearty soups

Vegetables & Fruits

● Canned corn, peas, green beans, carrots

● Canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, or pasta sauce

● Canned fruit in juice (not syrup)

● Applesauce cups or pouches

● Fruit cups or pouches (in juice not syrup)

Grains & Pasta

● Rice (white, brown, or instant)

● Boxed pasta, macaroni, or noodles

● Instant mashed potatoes

● Oatmeal packets or rolled oats

● Ready-to-eat cereal (low sugar preferred)

● Flour and cornmeal

Shelf-Stable Proteins & Meals

● Peanut butter or other nut butters

● Shelf-stable milk or non-dairy milk (almond, soy, oat)

● Instant meal cups (pasta, ramen, or rice bowls)

● Boxed macaroni and cheese

● Protein or granola bars

Pantry Staples & Cooking Essentials

● Cooking oil (vegetable, olive, canola)

● Sugar, flour, salt, pepper, and basic spices

● Pancake mix and syrup

● Baking mixes (muffins, cornbread, biscuits)

● Condiments: ketchup, mustard, mayo packets

● Broth or bouillon cubes

Kid-Friendly Snacks

● Crackers, pretzels, popcorn

● Dried fruit and trail mix
Snack-size applesauce or fruit cups

● Fruit snacks (100% fruit if possible)

● Granola bars or cereal bars

Shelf-Stable Entrées

● Canned soups (hearty varieties like chicken noodle, minestrone, or vegetable beef)

● Canned pasta meals (ravioli, spaghetti with meat sauce, lasagna)

● Canned chili (with or without meat)

● Canned stews and chowders

● Canned tamales or hash

Meal Kits

● Ready-to-eat meal pouches (e.g., Tasty Bite, Hormel Compleats, Annie’s Homegrown, Amy’s Kitchen)

● Shelf-stable microwaveable meal trays (rice and curry, pasta bowls, etc.)

● Canned or boxed “dinner kits” (e.g., Chef Boyardee, Dinty Moore, Campbell’s Chunky Bowls)

Other Helpful Items

*Indicates non-SNAP item but helpful for families at this time

● Coffee, tea, hot cocoa packets

● Shelf stable juice and non-sugar drinks geared towards children (capri sun, mott juice boxes, etc.)

● Powdered drink mixes

● Baby formula

● Baby food jars or pouches (if applicable)

● Reusable grocery bags for easier distribution

● Diapers, wipes*

● Paper towel, toilet paper, soap, detergent, shampoo*

● Pet food - cats and dogs*

● Feminine hygiene products

Boxed & Dry Pre-Packaged Meals

Quick-Cook Dinners

● Boxed macaroni and cheese

● Instant rice and noodle meals (Knorr Pasta Sides, Rice-A-Roni, Hamburger Helper)

● Boxed mashed potato or stuffing mix

● Instant ramen noodle cups (preferably low-sodium options)

Plant-Based Options

● Lentil soup mixes

● Instant bean and rice bowls (Mahatma, Goya, Minute Ready Rice Bowls)

● Couscous or quinoa meal kits

Shelf-Stable “Heat & Eat” Options

● Ready rice pouches (Uncle Ben’s, Seeds of Change)

● Shelf-stable soups in cartons (tomato bisque, potato leek, etc.)

● UHT (ultra-high temperature) packaged curries, stews, or chili

● Ready pasta with sauce pouches (Barilla Ready Pasta, Rao’s Made for Home)

Breakfast & Snack-Style Meals

● Instant oatmeal cups (just add hot water)

● Protein or breakfast bars
Shelf-stable milk or non-dairy milk cartons

● Peanut butter snack packs

Cereal bowls (individual pre-packaged servings)