The updated food pyramid is more than a refreshed graphic—it’s a clear signal that nutrition priorities in the United States are evolving. With greater emphasis on fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and quality sources of protein, the modern pyramid reflects a growing consensus: access to healthy food is foundational to long-term health. But for food banks and pantries, this shift also highlights a long-standing challenge—nutritious food is often the hardest to source through traditional food drives.
For decades, charitable food systems have done heroic work ensuring people don’t go hungry. Yet many food banks acknowledge that donated food does not always align with modern nutrition guidance. Shelf-stable, processed items are easier to collect in large quantities, while fresh, nutrient-dense foods are more expensive, harder to store, and less likely to be donated in traditional drives. The new food pyramid brings this reality into sharper focus by underscoring the gap between what people should eat and what is often available to those facing food insecurity.
This is where #GiveHealthy comes in.
#GiveHealthy was built specifically to help food banks close that nutrition gap. By enabling online food drives that prioritize healthy food, #GiveHealthy makes it easy for communities, companies, schools, and families to donate food that aligns with today’s dietary guidance. Instead of relying on chance donations, food banks can receive the foods they need most—fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other nutrient-rich staples—delivered according to their preferences and schedules.
As nutrition guidelines evolve, food banks are under increasing pressure to provide food that supports health outcomes, not just calories. #GiveHealthy supports food banks in meeting that challenge by modernizing food drives, turning good intentions into high-impact, nutrition-forward donations.
The result is a system that works better for everyone: food banks gain more control and flexibility, donors know their contributions are making a healthier impact, and families receive food that supports well-being. The new food pyramid shows us where we need to go. #GiveHealthy helps food banks get there.
