If you are interested in donating non-perishable food and/or hygiene items, donations can be dropped off at the Iowa Memorial Union Welcome Center. If you are interested in donating perishable food, please contact us at studorg-foodpantry@uiowa to arrange a time to drop off your donation(s).

Multicultural food items that the Food Pantry at Iowa is consistently in need of are listed below. We greatly appreciate any and all donations, but are particularly interested in these items at this time!

Multicultural Food Item Donations Requested

Mexican Dishes Common Ingredients
  • Lard (Rendered Pig Fat)
  • Beans
    • Frijoles Charros ("Cowboy Beans")
    • Refried Beans
    • Black Beans
  • Tortillas or Masa
  • Gorditas (Mexican Flatbread)
  • Dried Chiles
  • Cilantro
  • Avocado
  • Tomatoes
  • Corn
  • Jicama
  • Jalapenos
  • Poblano Peppers
  • Chorizo
  • Cotija
  • Pepitas
  • Garlic Powder
  • Limes/Lemons
  • Salsa
  • Mexican Rice
  • Plantains
  • Cheese
Middle Eastern Common Ingredients
  • Olive Oil
  • Thyme
  • Sumac
  • Sesame Seeds (Tahini) or Sesame Oil
  • Pomegranates
  • Lemons
  • Bulgur
  • Saffron
  • Feta Cheese
  • Cucumbers
  • Dill
  • Couscous
  • Cumin
  • Mint
Chinese Dishes Common Ingredients
  • Peanut Oil
  • Chinkiang Vinegar
  • Corn Starch
  • Ginger
  • Green Onion
  • Peppercorn
  • Oyster Sauce (or Chee Hou Sauce)
  • Hoisin Sauce
  • Bean Paste (Doubanjiang)
  • Rice Vinegar
  • Rice Noodles
  • Five Spice Blend (Cinnamon, Cloves, Fennel Seeds, Star Anise, and Szechuan Peppers)
  • Scallions
  • Soy Sauce
Indian Dishes Common Ingredients
  • Ghee (Clarified Butter)
  • Coconut Oil
  • Coconuts
  • Rice
    • Basmati Rice
    • Jasmine Rice
    • Sona Masoori Rice
  • Chili Pepper
  • Chili Powder
  • Cardamom
  • Garam Masala
  • Mustard Seeds
  • Turmeric
  • Potatoes
  • Spinach
  • Okra
  • Coriander
  • Curry Leaves
  • Tamarind
  • Carom
  • Fennel Seeds
  • Hing Powder
  • Naan
  • Raita (Yogurt with Chutney)
  • Lentils
    • Chickpeas
    • Red Lentils
    • Yellow Pigeon Peas
African Dishes Common Ingredients
  • Egusi
  • Palm Oil
  • Onions
  • Vegetable Oil
  • Crayfish Powder
  • Guinea Pepper Seeds
  • Sumbala
  • Stock Cubes
  • Cassava
  • Pearl Millet
Italian Dishes Common Ingredients
  • Balsamic Vinegar
  • Pasta/Spaghetti
  • Pasta Sauce
    • Alfredo
    • Marinara
    • Bolognese
    • Basil Pesto
    • Pomodoro
  • Oregano Powder
  • Capers
  • Salt
  • Porcini Mushrooms
  • Basil
  • Cheese
    • Mozzarella
    • Parmesan
Other East Asian Dishes Common Ingredients
  • Rice
    • Short-Grain Rice
    • Sushi Rice
  • Glass Noodles
  • Tofu
  • Kimchi (Cabbage)
  • Tamari
  • Vinegar
  • Miso Paste
  • Curry Paste
  • Soybean Paste
  • Ginger
  • Wakame (Seaweed)
  • Kombu
  • Bonito Flakes
  • Nori
  • Shichimi Togarishi Spice Mix
  • Ramen Noodles
  • Wasabi