Food Connects welcomed Michael Bird as a Food Hub Driver this year. As a driver, he does the crucial work of ensuring the safe, timely, and undamaged transport of Food Hub products.
Michael is excited to join an organization devoted to making connections between regional producers, schools, farms, co-ops, and more. If you are anywhere in Southern Vermont, Southern New Hampshire, or the Pioneer Valley and you see a Food Connects truck driving by, it just might be Michael behind the wheel. So, please wave hello!
We are thrilled to have Michael on the team and are excited to share more about him.
What sparked your interest in Food Connects, and why are you excited to be here?
The pandemic changed things up for me, as it did for so many of us, and I began to look for work that was truly useful and meaningful. Food Connects came recommended to me as a great place to work and an organization with an important mission.
Why is the local food movement important to you?
In this region, we have so many creative producers doing amazing things. We’re lucky to enjoy so much abundance, not just with conventional crops but unexpected products like grapes, ginger, turmeric, dosa batter, and even bison. It’s exciting that Food Connects is working to make the most of this rich and varied environment.
What do you see for the future of Food Connects and what you will do here? What are your hopes/dreams for this position?
As a driver, I have a customer service role as well as a distribution role. I am fortunate to actually get to visit these farms, schools, and co-ops to see everyone in action! My hope is that all of our customers and producers know, every week when the truck pulls up, that Food Connects values their good work and participation in the local food movement.
How will your previous experience impact your work at Food Connects, and what unique perspectives do you bring to the organization?
I recently worked for a farm in Western Massachusetts, driving their products to the twice-weekly Farmer’s Market in Copley Square in Boston and setting up an extravaganza there. That position got me excited about food distribution, a world that was new to me at the time and, in some ways, still is. Here at Food Connects, I’m an enthusiastic student.
How do you spend your time outside of work?
Spending time with family is at the top of that list. I volunteer for the Zoning Board of Appeals and First Parish Unitarian Church, both in Northfield, MA. I love to cook. And I am really good at taking naps.
What is your favorite food?
When basil and local tomatoes are in season, nothing beats a Caprese salad with some crusty bread to soak up the balsamic.
Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?
My completely useless talent is an accurate memory of the release dates of 80s pop songs. (“Nasty” by Janet Jackson? April 1986, of course.)
If I handed you a plane ticket right now to anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Hogwarts.
Anything else you want to share?
The people here have been welcoming and very supportive as I learn the ropes. I’m grateful to have this group of co-workers.