In the Driver's Seat: Mike Prince
Get to know Mike Prince in this Q&A. Mike is among Lovin’ Spoonfuls’ Food Rescue Coordinators (FRCs) working in our Greater Boston region.
u003cmeta charset=u0022utf-8u0022/u003eu003cstrongu003eHow long have you been in your current role? u003c/strongu003e
u003cmeta charset=u0022utf-8u0022/u003eI have been an FRC with Lovin’ Spoonfuls for three amazing years, and I’m proud to be a part of such a great team.
u003cmeta charset=u0022utf-8u0022/u003eWu003cstrongu003ehat’s the most gratifying part of your job? u003c/strongu003e
u003cmeta charset=u0022utf-8u0022/u003eThe most gratifying part of being an FRC is helping people access delicious, healthy food to feed themselves and their family. To see the impact my job has on strengthening communities with food is special. The beneficiaries that I work with are always smiling when I arrive at drop-off with Dolly [the name of the truck pictured here, that Mike drives].
u003cmeta charset=u0022utf-8u0022/u003eu003cstrongu003eWhat’s a myth about food rescue (or rescued food) that you’d like to bust?u003c/strongu003e
u003cmeta charset=u0022utf-8u0022/u003eOne myth I’d like to bust is that Lovin’ Spoonfuls is a food bank. We do not have a warehouse that we bring and store food in until we find a place for it to go. We distribute what we rescue daily. I’ve had several occasions where people were surprised when I told them that we empty the trucks every day.
u003cmeta charset=u0022utf-8u0022/u003eu003cstrongu003eWhat’s a strategy you use to stay safe (or patient) behind the wheel?u003c/strongu003e
u003cmeta charset=u0022utf-8u0022/u003eDriving in the city can be dangerous and obstacles can be unexpected. I make sure to read the road at all times. When stuck in traffic, I listen to music or sing to pass time.
u003cmeta charset=u0022utf-8u0022/u003eu003cstrongu003eTell us about one partner – vendor or nonprofit – that inspires you. How come? u003c/strongu003e
u003cmeta charset=u0022utf-8u0022/u003eOne of my most inspirational beneficiaries is Selah Day Resource Center, which I visit three times a week, in Chelsea. They have a large capacity, feed a lot of people, and are able to put a lot of different products to good use. Seeing clients in and out of the doors while I’m there delivering puts a smile on my face.
u003cmeta charset=u0022utf-8u0022/u003eu003cstrongu003eIf you weren’t a Food Rescue Coordinator, what would you be doing instead? u003c/strongu003e
u003cmeta charset=u0022utf-8u0022/u003eIf I wasn’t an FRC, I could easily see myself being a chef. A love for food has always been a part of me, and I cook regularly. I often get inspiration to cook from the fresh produce I see rescued on a daily basis.
u003cmeta charset=u0022utf-8u0022/u003eu003cstrongu003eTell us one little-known fact about you. u003c/strongu003e
u003cmeta charset=u0022utf-8u0022/u003eOne fact about me is I am a very good video gamer and would love to design a video game one day.
Learn more about Mike Prince and the other members of Team Lovin’ on our staff page.