We were fortunate to meet John during last year’s New Amsterdam Market season, on what was unfortunately one of the worst days of the year to be outdoors. Through the freezing rain, his warm smile was enough to persuade us into a photo op for Brooklyn Bread. As you’ll discover, working behind the camera is a talent from his previous career, and not one that you would necessarily associate with bicycling or farming. But these days, people all over the world are redefining career associations with their good food jobs, and John is the perfect example of someone on a journey to do just that. Meet the Food Cyclist.

What attracted you to a good food job?

Up until I started riding my bicycle around the world for good food, I was actually working in another industry – as the “lighting guy” for the Howard Stern Show in Manhattan. My job at Stern enabled me to save money, put together the trip on my free time, and make some really great connections. My wife and riding companion Kate was a student at Hunter College in Manhattan working towards her Graduate Degree in Childhood Education.

When I got hired at Stern, I was automatically at the top of the ladder in the company for my area of expertise. While it would have made logical sense to hang on to the job security, after several years I realized that if I wanted to move up, I had to move out. I resigned my staff position for the King of All Media for a life on the road, to grow as a person and open up new opportunities for myself and Kate.

I chose my specific spin on a Good Food Job because it is outrageous, no one has done it before, and quite frankly it is something I have always wanted to do. This 24,000 mile bike trip marries my passion for food, my love of cycling, photography, and writing.

How did you get your current good food job?

I created the trip – and my role in it – out of thin air. I have spent well over a year preparing to hit the road. It all started with an idea: “I am going to ride my bike across the country visiting farms” and snow-balled into a 2+ year multi-continental bicycle tour.

While what Kate and I are doing isn’t generating a consistent stream of income, we are going to write a book(s) about it and figure out whatever else we can take from the experience to develop our careers. I imagine there will be a lot of personal growth over the next few years and, for now, we will rely on whatever we have been able to save over the last couple years.

I intend to become a farmer when this is all over, a far cry from being a lighting technician in the City.

How did your previous work or life experience prepare you for a good food job?

The further I get into it, the more I realize I have been preparing for this my whole life. If you think about it, we are going to be sleeping in a tent, riding bikes, working on farms, visiting foreign lands, experiencing new cultures, and documenting the whole experience. I was a Boy Scout, a road bike racer, have gone camping with my family since I was born; a photographer, web designer, plumber, carpenter, welder, painter, etc… I learned from a young age to be resourceful, something that will come in handy.

What advice do you have for others in search of a good food job?

Be creative! There is a solid movement towards sustainability and craft products, so find your niche and develop it. Concentrate on your strengths and determine how they can help you to stand out in the noise. Find a demographic that works for you. If you try to appeal to everyone, you appeal to no one. If you target specific groups, the more successful you will be. The more specific you aim, the better.

If you could be compensated for your work with something other than money, what would it be?

Well, considering we are not getting paid for all the work we are doing (don’t take that as a complaint, this was a choice), I have found all sorts of compensation besides money. We are riding to make a difference, and so far we have. I get e-mails and messages from people who are making positive changes in their lives because of our influences.

We’re also paid in the experiences we have, the places we see, the people we meet, and the food we eat. Even if it is on a relatively small level, we are doing some good in the world. It might sound a little cheesy, but I like cheesy.

Share |