Sour on cereal

Re “Appetite grows for food aid,” July 28

Corn flakes and breakfast cereal are mentioned in the article as desired foods for food banks and families facing shortages. Breakfast cereals offer just about the least nutritional bang for the buck of any food item. Branding and advertising has allowed the breakfast cereal companies to charge many times the cost of the small amount of grain and other ingredients that their products contain.

Those facing food shortages should spend their money on low-cost, high-protein, high-calorie items such as eggs, beans, peanut butter and cheese, and on fruits and vegetables that are packed with vitamins and other nutrients.

Catherine Brennan

Los Angeles