Get ready for Food Project pickup on Saturday – Medford News, Weather, Sports, Breaking News

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Get ready for Food Project pickup on Saturday Oct 07, 2014 12:00 AM A A Residents involved in Food Projects throughout the Rogue Valley are reminded that Saturday is pickup day. In 2013, Medford Food Project participants collected 155,000 pounds of food to help feed the hungry. The Food Project is a simple system in which residents leave a bag filled with non-perishable food on their doorstep the second Saturday morning of even-numbered months. Food Project organizers pick up the food and leave another green bag for the residents to fill by buying one can of food a week for eight weeks. The Food Project began in Ashland in 2009 and has since grown to nearly every community in Jackson County and dozens of towns across Oregon and the United States. In December 2013, the Rogue Valley Food Projects surpassed the 1 million-pound mark. Haven't filled your green bag yet? Here's a list of non-perishable foods most needed by local food banks. • Cereal • Hearty soups • Canned meat • Canned fruit • Cooking oil • Canned tuna • Canned beans • Dried beans • Pinto beans • Canned corn • Masa • Brown rice • Long grain white rice • Plain stewed tomatoes • Fruit cocktail • Side dishes such as Hamburger Helper, Rice-a-Roni • Soy milk • Canned milk • Texturized vegetable protein • Pasta • Vegetables Especially for seniors: • Dried fruits • Ready-made Jell-O and pudding • Ensure protein drinks • Low-sodium pull-tab soups • Low-sodium single-serving meals • Low-sodium crackers • Green tea (regular and decaf) • Canned vegetables • Hard candies Non-food items: • Toilet paper • Toothpaste • Toothbrushes • Soap For more information, visit www.medfordfoodproject.com .