The monastic code requires the monks and novices to be dependent upon the lay community for all their physical needs (i.e. the material requisites of life, including all food). The kitchen & household can sometimes run low on supplies, so food & household items are some of the most practical and helpful offerings that can be brought to the monastery. Please see the guidelines below if you’re unfamiliar with the process of offering food and other requisites to the monastic community. Items helpful for our resident community: (links are provided as examples)
Last Update: Dec 14, 2025
Fresh berries (Blueberry, Strawberry, Blackberry, Raspberry)
Bananas, Apples, Oranges, Melon / Cantaloupe, Pear, Mango
Raisin Bran Cereal
Soy milk / Almond milk
Hemp seed
Brown sugar
Jams and preserves
Dry coconut flakes
Salted Nuts
Sesame or pumpkin seeds
Beans (white, red, pinto, chickpeas)
Pasta / Pasta sauces
Frozen Pizzas (veg and meat)
Dips (hummus, tzatziki, etc)
White Rice (Basmati, Jasmine)
Granola
Yogurt
Tea bags – green tea, peppermint, ginger, lemon, chamomile, and anything fruit-flavoured
Cheese
Dark chocolate
TO AVOID WASTE; No Peanut butter, Chia Seeds, Frozen Fruits, canned tomatoes or canned soup are required at this time.
Laundry detergent (unscented)
Dryer sheets (scented and unscented)
Mr Clean floor cleaner
Lysol toilet bowl cleaner
Bleach
Hand tissues
Tylenol Cold – AM & PM
Neocitran
Claritin
TO AVOID WASTE: No vitamins or creams are required at this time.
If you have questions about what items to bring or more specific needs, or if you’d like to set a date to offer a prepared dish or offer an entire meal, please use the contact form to make an inquiry with the kitchen steward.
Food needs can change frequently because stores (especially perishables) can sometimes run low in the morning and full by the afternoon, and then low again some days later. We try to keep the following list in order of what is needed most, and as up-to-date as possible.
The monastics eat one main meal a day in late morning (around 11:00 am) and the monastic regulations require that they finish by midday. Offering food to the monastic community provides an opportunity to visit and participate in the lifestyle of the monastery. You are welcome to cook your food in the monastery kitchen. Some people may feel awkward preparing food in a kitchen that is not their own. If that is the case, it may be easier for you to prepare a dish or several dishes ahead of time. When offering the meal or part of the meal at the monastery, the kitchen steward can help explain the protocol for offering food to the monks. Please click on this link if you wish to contact the kitchen steward for any inquiries regarding meal offerings.