Every day, food moves through our warehouse to food programs across the city. Behind those shipments are important decisions about what food is distributed and why.
This Dietitians Day, we’re highlighting one of the people helping guide those decisions: Kelly Barry, the Ottawa Food Bank’s Registered Dietitian.
Dietitians play an important role in supporting the health of individuals and communities. At the Ottawa Food Bank, Kelly helps ensure that nutrition is part of the conversation when it comes to the food we distribute across our network.
“My role includes supporting our teams around the procurement of nutritious, good quality fresh and non-perishable food. I also work with our network of agencies to understand the food needs of our communities and provide nutrition information and resources.”
Kelly’s work touches many parts of the organization: from reviewing food donations and overseeing food for children’s programs, to helping guide food purchasing decisions and supporting access to culturally appropriate foods.
In a warehouse that moves millions of pounds of food each year, Kelly helps ensure the focus isn’t only on how much food is distributed, but also on how that food supports people’s health and well-being.
For Kelly, that work is grounded in a simple belief. “Food is a fundamental human right,” she says. “I’m passionate about helping people access nutritious, fresh, culturally appropriate food while working alongside colleagues who are working to address the root causes of food insecurity.”
As we mark Nutrition Month, her work highlights an important reality: access to food matters, but access to nutritious food matters just as much.
Food banks exist to provide emergency food support. But the type of food people receive matters just as much as the quantity.
“Access to nutrient-dense food supports physical and mental well-being for people of all ages,” says Kelly. “It’s essential for healthy development, disease prevention, and building healthier communities.”
People experiencing food insecurity are often already facing significant challenges. Limited budgets can make it difficult to prioritize nutritious foods when cheaper, highly processed options are often more affordable.
“It’s much easier to stretch your food dollar with inexpensive, calorie-dense foods,” Kelly explains. “But over time, relying on these foods can lead to malnutrition, even when someone is getting enough calories.” That’s why Kelly helps ensure nutrition is considered when food banks make decisions about the food they distribute. “While food banks aim to distribute large volumes of food, it’s important to focus on the nutritional quality of that food—not just the pounds.”
Nutrition also goes beyond physical health. Food can play an important role in helping people feel connected to their culture, community, and identity.
“Food is so much more than just sustenance. Having access to foods that align with your culture, values, and beliefs can create a sense of belonging and wellbeing.”
For newcomers to Canada, being able to prepare familiar meals with fresh ingredients can help create a sense of comfort and welcome in a new place.
Community donations play a huge role in helping the Ottawa Food Bank support food programs across the city. Right now, our most needed items include cereal, oats, and canned fish—simple pantry staples that can help create nutritious meals.
“Breakfast cereal is a staple in many households and can provide important nutrients like iron and B vitamins,” Kelly says. “Oats are also a great donation because they’re an ingredient that can be used in many different ways.”
Canned fish is another valuable item. “Tuna, salmon, and sardines are excellent shelf-stable protein sources and are especially helpful for people who may have limited cooking space or equipment.”
When choosing items to donate, Kelly encourages people to think about ingredients.
“Providing basic ingredients allows people to prepare meals that suit their cultural preferences or dietary needs.”
Some simple ways you can make your food donations more nutritious:
- Cereal with whole grains listed near the top of the ingredient list
- Options with lower added sugar and higher fibre
- Plain oats (certified gluten-free oats are helpful for people with celiac disease)
- Lower-sodium canned fish packed in water or oil
- Other items like canned tomatoes, broth, cooking oils, whole grains, and low-sodium canned vegetables are also nutritious additions.
Supporting Our Spring Food Drive
As the Ottawa Food Bank prepares for our upcoming Fill the Plates Spring Food Drive on Saturday, March 28, community support will play a critical role in helping food banks across the city continue meeting the growing need.
While food donations are always appreciated, Kelly notes that financial donations can make an even bigger impact. “Donating dollars allows the Ottawa Food Bank to stretch your contribution further, allowing us to purchase fresh foods like fruits, vegetables, milk, eggs, and meat.”
Recent Comments