Food Pantry Tip Sheet: Vietnamese Food Preferences

Description of Cuisine Vietnamese cuisine typically includes a lot of fresh vegetables, herbs, rice noodles, seafood, meats, rice, and tropical fruits, with limited amounts of dairy and oil. A common meal includes stock or broth with meat/seafood and fresh vegetables seasoned with herbs, ginger, fish sauce, soy sauce, and/or sesame seeds.

Considerations Focus group participants have identifiedsugar as being a significant concern for the Vietnamese Vietnam population. Whenever possible, avoid stocking sugary snacks and foods for distribution. These foods will take up valuable space that can be used for more desireable, nutritious foods.

Foods This Group Will Likely Enjoy Bold, green text indicates items that are likely to be offered at food pantries. Fresh vegetables & herbs, especially: • Nectarines • Dried cranberries • Basil • Oranges • Fish sauce • Bok choy • Pineapple • Juice • Broccoli Meats/Proteins: • Milk (shelf-stable and refrigerated) • Cabbage (green, purple) • Canned chicken • Carrots • Oyster sauce • Canned fish • Peanut butter • Cilantro • Chicken breast (raw) • Garlic • Raisins • Garbanzo beans • Ginger • Rice (brown and white) • Peanuts • Rice noodles • Mint • Tofu • Onions • Sesame seeds • Potatoes (not in large amounts Pantry Items: • Soy sauce or too often) • Chicken broth • Vegetable broth • Whole wheat spaghetti Fresh fruit, especially: • Cooking oils (canola, olive) and nonstick spray • Green papaya • Crackers • Limes

Foods This Group Might Pass Up Bold, orange text indicates items that are likely to be offered at food pantries.

• Canned cannellini beans • Toaster pastries, rice cereal • Canned fruit treats, and other sugary • Canned vegetables snacks Created by • Granola

* Tip sheets created with the help of San Diego-based focus groups. | leahspantrysf.org | [email protected] Food Pantry Tip Sheet: Haitian Food Preferences

Description of Cuisine Haitian cuisine has Spanish, French, and African influences. It includes bold and spicy flavors that are strengthened with peppers and herbs. A common meal includes rice, beans, and meat served with a side of fried plantains.

Considerations Focus group participants identified thatdried beans are preferred over canned, when available.

Haiti Foods This Group Will Likely Enjoy Bold, green text indicates items that are likely to be offered at food pantries. Fresh vegetables & herbs, especially: • Beets (red) • Carrots • Celery • Plantains (green or yellow) • Chayote • Corn (yellow) Meats/Proteins: • Eggplant • Beef • Habanero peppers • Canned chicken • Potatoes • Chicken (raw) • Red peppers/chile peppers • Dried beans (black, pinto, • Spinach white) Fresh fruit, especially: • Pork • Apples Pantry Items: • Bananas • Coconut oil • Guanabana (soursop) • Harina (corn meal) • Limes • Pasta (spaghetti) • Oranges • Vegetable oil • Pineapple

Foods This Group Might Pass Up Bold, orange text indicates items that are likely to be offered at food pantries.

• Canned fruit • Plums • Canned soup • Rice cereal treats • Canned vegetables • Spaghetti squash • Cannellini beans • Whole wheat bread • Chicken and vegetable broths • Whole wheat pasta (spaghetti) • Garbanzo beans • Yams Created by • Kiwi

* Tip sheets created with the help of San Diego-based focus groups. | leahspantrysf.org | [email protected] Food Pantry Tip Sheet: Somali Food Preferences

Description of Cuisine Somali cuisine varies by region as it has been influenced by many surrounding countries, including Italy. In fact, pasta or spaghetti is often served at lunch with a heavy stew sauce with meat and vegetables.

Considerations Focus group participants say they prefer chicken and other meats that have been prepared using halal practices. There may be hesitation with Somalia taking raw or canned meat if it is not labeled “halal”.

Foods This Group Will Likely Enjoy Bold, green text indicates items that are likely to be offered at food pantries. Fresh vegetables & herbs, especially: • Honeydew • Corn oil • Bananas • Mango • Corn meal • Carrots • Oranges (Mandarin/Cuties) • Instant oatmeal • Cabbage • Pears • Juice • Celery • Pineapple • Pasta (spaghetti) • Corn • Plantains (green or yellow) • Pasta sauce • Rolled oats • Garlic Meats/Proteins: • Ginger • Rice (brown) • Beef • Lettuce • Whole wheat bread • Okra • Canned fish • Chicken, if halal • Onions • Dried beans (black, cannellini, • Potatoes • Spinach kidney) • Tomatoes • Peanut butter • Shelf-stable milk Fresh fruit, especially: Pantry Items: • Apples • Bananas • Canned tomato sauce • Cantaloupe • Cereal/granola

Foods This Group Might Pass Up Bold, orange text indicates items that are likely to be offered at food pantries.

• Canned chicken (if not halal) • Jello packs • Chicken broth (if not halal) • Pinto beans • Cooking spray • Toaster pastries Created by • Garbanzo beans

* Tip sheets created with the help of San Diego-based focus groups. | leahspantrysf.org | [email protected]