Throughout his career, Fred Butt has kept a journal.
Just don’t expect to see Butt pulling out a notepad and putting pen to paper. Over the years, Butt has kept his journals through the means of photography and social media.
Butt, who is now a Foodliner driver based out of the Mendota, Ill. terminal, spent the bulk of his career in the realm of agriculture equipment sales. As the public’s perceptions of farming has shifted over the years, Butt thought he could help improve the industry’s reputation by snapping photos of agriculture work during the different seasons of the year. He helped promote hismission by sharing images with famed TV meteorologist Tom Skilling, formerly of WGN-TV in Chicago.
Upon switching careers two years to become a truck driver, Butt continued his photo-taking hobby. However, just as his photo subjects have changed — Butt now captures photos of his work picking up and delivering goods for Foodliner — so has his mission. He says his goal nowadays is “showing America at work.”
Over the years, Butt has shared his photos across different social media platforms. However, X (formerly Twitter) is currently his go-to platform for sharing his content. (Butt’s handle on X is @FredButt6.)
A country boy at heart, Butt says his career change to trucking has afforded him the opportunity to get into urban areas and meet people from a wide range of different backgrounds.
During his travels, the Foodliner driver quickly discovered the rural-urban divide that he anticipated, does not exist. They share many of the same values.
“We have so many things (in common) as working people,” Butt explained.
However, there are still benefits to living in a rural area. These things include fresh produce, Butt joked, as he looked forward to passing out fresh tomatoes to colleagues he visits at his multiple delivery points.
“It puts such a smile on their faces,” he said.
While the load volume requested of the Mendota team sees Butt spending many hours on the road, he enjoys passing the time by “seeing different places and watching the seasons of farming on the outside” and listening to political, Illinois news and agriculture-related podcast during his travels across the Midwest.
A father of four adult children and a grandfather of two, Butt has been married to his wife Susan for 39 years. During his time away from work, he still likes spending time on the road, “catching some wind” on his Harley-Davidson trike bike.
National Truck Driver Appreciation Week – Fred Butt
National Truck Driver Appreciation Week
Fred Butt – Foodliner Driver
Throughout his career, Fred Butt has kept a journal.
Just don’t expect to see Butt pulling out a notepad and putting pen to paper. Over the years, Butt has kept his journals through the means of photography and social media.
Butt, who is now a Foodliner driver based out of the Mendota, Ill. terminal, spent the bulk of his career in the realm of agriculture equipment sales. As the public’s perceptions of farming has shifted over the years, Butt thought he could help improve the industry’s reputation by snapping photos of agriculture work during the different seasons of the year. He helped promote hismission by sharing images with famed TV meteorologist Tom Skilling, formerly of WGN-TV in Chicago.
Upon switching careers two years to become a truck driver, Butt continued his photo-taking hobby. However, just as his photo subjects have changed — Butt now captures photos of his work picking up and delivering goods for Foodliner — so has his mission. He says his goal nowadays is “showing America at work.”
Over the years, Butt has shared his photos across different social media platforms. However, X (formerly Twitter) is currently his go-to platform for sharing his content. (Butt’s handle on X is @FredButt6.)
A country boy at heart, Butt says his career change to trucking has afforded him the opportunity to get into urban areas and meet people from a wide range of different backgrounds.
During his travels, the Foodliner driver quickly discovered the rural-urban divide that he anticipated, does not exist. They share many of the same values.
“We have so many things (in common) as working people,” Butt explained.
However, there are still benefits to living in a rural area. These things include fresh produce, Butt joked, as he looked forward to passing out fresh tomatoes to colleagues he visits at his multiple delivery points.
“It puts such a smile on their faces,” he said.
While the load volume requested of the Mendota team sees Butt spending many hours on the road, he enjoys passing the time by “seeing different places and watching the seasons of farming on the outside” and listening to political, Illinois news and agriculture-related podcast during his travels across the Midwest.
A father of four adult children and a grandfather of two, Butt has been married to his wife Susan for 39 years. During his time away from work, he still likes spending time on the road, “catching some wind” on his Harley-Davidson trike bike.