In the LifeSource Hot Seat: Nic Tworog

     Nic Tworog has been a crucial part of the LifeSource produce department for over five years now, but his love for quality food goes back much further than that. Nic spent much of his career in the grocery world, starting at Shop’ N Kart in Ashland and later at a co-op in Coos Bay before finding his way to Salem and becoming a part of the LifeSource family. Before Nic started slinging produce he spent 2 years in the National Guard in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, where he explored diverse cultures, learned about their customs, and enjoyed their exquisite cuisines.

     Nic is a lifelong Oregonian, growing up in Klamath Falls and spending most of his youth in southern Oregon before following his family to the Salem area. He has been married for 13 years. Nic’s two dogs are Uisce (pronounced whisky) and Eve. Although Nic loves being an Oregonian, after recently vacationing in Hawaii, he says his home state might be changing.

     To get to know Nic a little better, we put him in the LifeSource hot seat and asked him 20 questions. Here are his answers.

LifeSource: What would you name the autobiography of your life?

Nic: Food, Fun, Friends, and Travel.

LS: If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

Nic: I would love to learn to scuba dive and to weld.

LS: If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?

Nic: I would pay off my bills and then donate a large portion.

LS: When you have 30 minutes of free time, how do you pass the time?

Nic: Listen to music.

LS: If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?

Nic: John Carter of Mars, from the Barsoom series by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

LS: What was the last experience that made you a stronger person?

Nic: My dad passing away.

LS: What is your favorite activity outside of work?

Nic: Food! Oh, and also record collecting.

LS: What chore do you absolutely hate doing?

Nic: Mowing the lawn.

LS: If you could meet anyone living or dead, who would it be?

Nic: I would love to meet my ancestors, like my seven-times great grandparents to find out more about my family and where I came from.

LS: Ten years ago, who did you think you would be now?

Nic: Oh man… honestly, I had no idea.

LS: What is the most important trend you see today?

Nic: People waking up to the political situation.

LS: What would you do for a career if you weren’t doing this?

Nic: Metal and wood working.

LS: What is your favorite thing about working at LifeSource?

Nic: Product knowledge of our all organic produce department. I really like being able to inform our customers with accurate information about what they are eating.

LS: What three traits define you?

Nic: Strong moral compass, organized, and empathetic.

LS: What one thing could you not live without?

Nic: My wife. There are a lot of things I could live without, but my wife is not one of them.

LS: If you were on a deserted island and could only take one album with you, what would it be?

Nic: Combat Rock by The Clash. It’s a really solid album!

LS: Where is the best place you have ever traveled to and why?

Nic: Right now, it’s definitely Hawaii. It’s absolutely gorgeous.

LS: What are 3 words you’d use to describe LifeSource?

Nic: Local, healthy, and friendly.

LS: What is the first concert you attended?

Nic: A Portland punk band called Detestation.

LS: If you had to eat one meal, every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Nic: Bulgogi (a Korean dish meaning “fire meat”).