Greetings pilgrims! I seem to have run into Rip Van Winkle and fell asleep for quite awhile, so it’s about time I provide an update.

Did you know that the chef-prepared foods we make and don’t sell are donated? In Lane County, rescued foods go to FOOD for Lane County, a private, nonprofit food bank, whose goal is to eliminate hunger by creating access to food. Market of Choice donate thousands of pounds of food to this program every year.

I would like to pass on some hard numbers, provided to us by FOOD for Lane County, so that you’ll have a better understanding of what this contribution amounts to in our community.

From Jan. 1 through July 30, 2011, our Eugene stores donated 31,530 pounds of bread, 17,755, pounds of deli items, 40,927 pounds of dairy, 28,234 pounds of produce, 16,444 pounds of sweets, and 16,662 pounds of non-perishables, for a grand total of 152,864 pounds.

A program of FOOD for Lane County, the Food Rescue Express program recovers food from grocery stores, hospitals, schools and restaurants that has been prepared but not served. This “rescued” food is repackaged into family-sized portions by volunteers in FOOD for Lane County’s commercial kitchen. The food is then distributed to families in need through food pantries, shelters and meal sites. This food adds nutrition and variety to emergency food boxes, preventing good food from entering landfills.

It takes a concerted effort from many Market of Choice employees to cull and collate these items, so that they can be picked up in a timely and orderly manner. It's a great partnership.

In addition, our Corvallis donates approximately 5,000 pounds of food per month to Linn Benton Food Share. Donated food includes products that are close to code date but still perfectly fit for human consumption, such as dairy, produce, baked goods and groceries, as well as gourmet prepared foods that would otherwise go to waste.

Market of Choice is one of six Corvallis-area grocers that contribute to Food Share in this way. Food Share then distributes the food to emergency food pantries, soup kitchens, child and senior centers, shelters and gleaning groups. More than 37 percent of those receiving emergency food assistance through Food Share are children.

I applaud those who contribute time, money, effort and products to help the many families and individuals who need these services in our communities. You can play a role by donating through the Scan-A-Coupon program.

The act of giving is a reward in and of itself. And we’re happy to do our part.