GBFB Helps Provide a Traditional Holiday Meal

The weeks before Thanksgiving are GBFB’s busiest time in the warehouse as we work to provide hundreds of food pantries with the fixings for a traditional holiday meal.

A $20 donation to GBFB’s annual Holiday Meal Drive will provide a complete healthy holiday meal for a family of five, including turkey (or turkey alternatives) and fixings, such as stuffing, fresh and canned vegetables. Our registered dietitians closely monitor what we provide to clients to ensure they receive the most nutritious food possible. Here’s what that holiday meal can consist of:

Turkey & Stuffing

At GBFB, we consider the dietary and nutrition restrictions of our clients. When turkey is not an option, we provide turkey substitutes such as chicken, seafood or tofu.

Green Beans & Corn

GBFB provides about 17 million pounds of fresh produce all year long and it is no different around the holidays. In addition to fresh produce, we also provide canned vegetables to help with those holiday staples like yummy green bean casserole.

Apples

Autumn is ripe for apples! Apples are a holiday-time fruit that GBFB is proud to supply for their versatility and health benefits. Those we serve can use them for apple pies, apple sauce or apple butter. Apples are also high in antioxidants and dietary fiber – it’s no wonder they say “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”

Squash

GBFB provides a variety of squashes, from acorn to butternut, and spaghetti to pumpkin – yes, a pumpkin is a squash! Have you ever tried spaghetti squash? As its name indicates, when cooked it has a string-like appearance. This is a great gluten-free, versatile and low-calorie option around the holidays.

Cranberry Sauce

Massachusetts is known for its cranberries, and it is said that cranberries were served at the first Thanksgiving in Plymouth. Aside from their historical value, they are one of nature’s superfoods and contain key antioxidants and vitamins that provide many health benefits. We know that cranberry sauce is a holiday staple, but it can be a great option all year long. It goes on sale after the holidays and has a very long shelf life.

Sweet Potatoes

Anyone cooking Thanksgiving dinner knows that whenever they can do to save time will make the holiday easier and more stress-free. Sweet potatoes are a great staple, but can take time to prepare. Try this healthy twist on a sweet potato side that can be made ahead of time, freeing up valuable kitchen space.

Healthy Sweet Potato Salad Recipe

(By Food Network Kitchens)

Ingredients

4 large sweet potatoes

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream)

1/2 cup diced scallions (about 6)

1 red pepper, finely diced

2 tablespoons minced fresh chives (optional)

2 teaspoons orange zest

2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar

1/2 teaspoon hot sauce, such as Tabasco (optional; or try 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika)

Salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Peel and cube the sweet potatoes and put them in a large pot. Cover with water, bring to a boil and boil until tender, about 5 minutes. Drain and set aside to cool.

2. While the potatoes are cooling, in a medium bowl, mix the mayonnaise, yogurt, scallions, red pepper, chives, orange zest, apple cider vinegar and hot sauce. Add the cooled potatoes to the mixture, and toss until the potatoes are fully coated. Add salt and pepper to taste. Best served chilled.