In The Driver's Seat: With Lisa Day
Get to know Lisa Day in this Q&A. Lisa is among Lovin’ Spoonfuls’ Food Rescue Coordinators working in our Greater Boston region.
How long have you been in your current role?
Two years.
What’s the most gratifying part of your job?
Being able to, hopefully, lessen the burden of someone’s day by bringing fresh food to people and programs.
What’s a myth about food rescue (or rescued food) that you’d like to bust?
I think the term “rescue” can sometimes make it seem like we’re salvaging food or dumpster diving. More often than not, the foods we receive are actually mispicks and not sold at a particular store, items that have been discontinued, or products simply nearing a sell-by date. That’s another thing, “sell by,” “best by,” and “expiration dates” all mean different things, but food is almost always safe to eat past [sell and best-by] dates.
What’s a strategy you use to stay safe (or patient) behind the wheel?
It’s easy to drive safely knowing that 2,500+ lbs. of food is stacked in the back. One quick turn or stop and a lot of that can fall over. It’s very sad when things fall in the truck.
Tell us about one partner – vendor or non-profit – that inspires you. How come?
I can’t really pick just one. There are so many amazing partners on my route. Roxbury Youthworks Inc., South Street Youth Center, Healthy Baby Healthy Child, The Dimock Center, Metro Boston Alive. Really all of the partners I interact with inspire me. They all provide so many valuable services and support for people. It’s humbling for me to just be able to provide them with some food.
What’s the most wild/wonderful thing you rescued recently?
This $250 Wagyu beef cut is definitely the wildest thing I’ve rescued recently.
If you weren’t a Food Rescue Coordinator, what would you be doing instead?
Not sure but, ideally, I’d be gardening. Maybe I’d have a community garden or work at a nursery or local farm.
Tell us one little known fact about you.
I can unicycle.
Learn more about Lisa Day and the other members of Team Lovin’ on our staff page.