Canadians are enjoying a high-spirited debate over whether the popular macaroni and cheese “kit” Kraft Dinner is a good thing to donate to food banks. Canada’s CBC News cites a year-long macaroni-centric study, published last week in the international journal Agriculture and Human Values. It divides the argument into two basic camps:
Rich Folk: “[H]igher income Canadians believe Kraft Dinner is an acceptable donation to food banks because it is convenient as a meal in a box, easy to prepare and tasty.”
But, uh-oh …
Poor Folk: “[T]hose on lower incomes said they bought or ate Kraft Dinner as a last resort, usually near the end of the month when money has run out. The study also pointed out that fresh milk, necessary to prepare Kraft Dinner, is the most precious commodity in many food-insecure households, which often can’t afford it.”
It’s an interesting discussion, because both sides have a fairly understandable perspective. The unstated rich side of things: Beggars can’t be choosers, and, hey, Kraft Dinner is pretty delicious! The flip side: It’s only delicious if you don’t view it as the food of last resort.
I wouldn’t suggest overwhelming the food bank with K.D. or for that matter, wanna-be K.D. No Name clones. For some kids and adults, K.D. is the pasta of choice. I like to include the makings of a quick K.D. ‘knock-off”: bag of macaroni, powdered milk (always handy in cooking when there’s no whole milk),e OR include evaporated milk, another handy pantry item. Include a bottle of Mrs. Dash Original and a shaker of powder cheese/ In short, give K.D. but also give ingredients to make a stove-top macaroni and cheese.