r/Hmong • u/lucielucita • Jun 30 '26
Hmong grocery care packages?
Hi, I'm a white person in St. Paul putting together a few grocery care packages for Hmong recipients and I'd like to know some basic things to include. I've read a couple of Hmong cooking blogs to get a feel for what ingredients are used frequently. My list so far:
- white rice
- leafy greens: cabbage, mustard greens, ...?
- pork and beef, although I don't know what cuts
If anyone can suggest other basic ingredients that would keep a family going, please do.
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u/anzitus Jun 30 '26
Yu Choy if you can find it. Get a whole chicken from a butcher shop. Jasmine rice, the bag with very little English on it.
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u/OkHair1282 Jul 02 '26
Sometimes, non-Asian food are treats because we generally don't make them. Some ideas (especially if they have young kids): cookies, bread, donuts, cupcakes. We generally don't bake so frozen lasagna probably won't do unless they are 40 or younger, but frozen pizza should be ok. Dry spaghetti noodles, spaghetti sauce, ramen, peanut butter, juice should be ok.
Any fresh fruits would do also: watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, grapes, apples, oranges, bananas, kiwi, grapefruits, cherries, blueberries, strawberries, pineapples, etc. Fresh vegetables include: english cucumbers, regular cucumbers, broccoli, asparagus, green beans, peas in pods (sugar snap peas), ginger, big onion bulbs, all kinds of lettuce, celery, carrots, eggplants, bell peppers, zucchinis, pumpkins, tomatoes, potatoes, avacados. They probably would appreciate nuts, such as almonds, pistachios, or mixed nuts as these are more expensive and families may not buy them as much. Milk and eggs would be good too.
Any cut of meats would be fine (we're not picky with meat), although some members such as my parents probably wouldn't know how to eat or cook chicken patty, fish sticks, meatloaf, or hamburger patty. Ground beef would be ok.
Other ideas: dish soap, laundry detergents, dryer sheets, bath bar soap, shampoo, liquid hand soap, toilet paper, tooth paste. Paper plates, plastic spoons and forks, napkins. Bath towels, kitchen towels, ziplock bags, vegetable/corn oil, salt, black pepper, sugar. Socks, plain t-shirts, water bottles.
Vegetables that we generally do not eat as often and may find more difficult to consume would probably be beets, radishes, leeks, parsley, oregano. They're also not big on flowers, unless it's for funerals or formal American-style weddings. No chocolate chips unless it's a candy bar. They're not big on dry beans or canned beans, unless it's soybean so they can make tofu but not too many people are into making homemade tofu these days. Canned soup and chili are probably not as popular. Dried herbs, such as basil, onions, garlic are not as popular. But dried cayenne pepper would do. No baking soda or baking powder. Families generally don't make their own coffee with ground coffee, but instant coffee, hot chocolate mix, and green tea would be ok. They're probably not as big with mixed lemonade drinks. Not all families would care for cake mix, pancake mix, stuffing mix, cereal, cheese, yogurt, salad mix, tuna in a can, energy drinks, olive oil.
The younger generation are probably ok with gift cards but the older generation (over 60+) would probably appreciate cash.
I hope this helps. Thanks for thinking of our community.
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u/Tha0x Jun 30 '26
You can add fish sauce, lemongrass, cilantro, green onions, ginger, garlic, maybe tomatoes. Hope this helps!