In the Driver's Seat: Mike Prince
For the past two years, being a Food Rescue Coordinator (FRC) has been an eye-opening experience. I have witnessed the many levels of organization it takes for communities to fight food insecurity. Making a connection from vendors who donate the food and the beneficiaries of the product is very rewarding.
It has been moving to see the behind-the-scenes efforts of people, the bridge to abundance and [food] security being built in front of my very eyes. Financial insecurity directly connects to Lovin Spoonfuls’ mission and is a hurdle that people all over the world have to overcome. Having a direct hand in fighting hunger and helping families save money is very important to me.
Lovin’ Spoonfuls has eight trucks that travel all over the state to many grocery stores and food vendors. We pick up quality food, and the monetary value of the product we pick up daily is impressive. It is important to highlight the money people save on the food we rescue.
A couple of produce vendors, Russo’s and DiSilva Fruit, have been very helpful partners to Lovin’ Spoonfuls. They donate several hundred pounds of fresh, brand new produce every week—boxes of bananas, apples, and oranges from DiSilva and fresh peppers and eggplant from Russo’s (pictured on the right). A bulk box of bananas weighs approximately 40 pounds and retails at about $25 per box. Our team rescues boxes full of meats, bread, fine cheeses, and all kinds of other products. The price range of these items are typically expensive and beyond a lot of people’s budgets. While it is troubling that we as a society waste this much money and food, it is refreshing to contribute to reversing this issue.
Food rescue is a way to enable programs, too. When a pantry or food assistance program can cut costs on buying a product that we can deliver, it allows them to focus their budget on other bare necessities. I look forward to continuing to help fight waste, food insecurity, and hunger due to financial instability.
Michael Prince is a Food Rescue Coordinator at Lovin’ Spoonfuls. He works with vendor and non-profit partners in the Greater Boston area.