FEAST Miami is a meals-based micro-funding project that hosts pop-up dinners to support emerging artists and arts organizations with small grants. These grants are used by the winning artists to execute their projects that will ultimately have a direct impact on our culture and our economy. I spoke with FEAST Miami co-founder Chef Loren Pulitzer and producer/curator Susan Caraballo at the ArtCenter/South Florida about FEAST Miami, art and culture, and the power of a meal to do more than just feed us.

FEAST Miami. Photo: Heber Siqueiros.

Neil de la Flor: What is FEAST Miami? What is Meals That Heal?

Loren Pulitzer/Susan Caraballo: FEAST Miami, co-founded by Chef Loren Pulitzer and producer/curator Susan Caraballo, are plant-based dinners at art spaces—galleries, museums, performing art spaces—designed to support the artistic community through grants given away to an arts project at the conclusion of the dinner. Artists apply through an open application process at feastmiami.org. A committee comprised of five artists and/or art professionals selects the top five finalists who will then present at the dinner. Diners will vote for their favorite art project from within the five finalists during the dinner. Dinner is open to the public with suggested donation of $60. We encourage diners to contribute more in support of FEAST Miami and the art project. FEAST Miami is produced by Meals That Heal, where Chef Loren Pulitzer offers a variety of services, ranging from private chef services to cooking classes to a line of vegan and gluten-free desserts.

ND: What’s the goal of FEAST Miami, and what do you hope to accomplish?

LP/SC: Through FEAST Miami, we want to bring together diverse communities that wouldn’t necessarily come together—vegetarians, vegans, artists and the community at large. FEAST is about community building, supporting creative projects and educating the community about local food and the sustainability movement. It’s about promoting farmers, promoting the arts and empowering both communities. Most of the produce for the second FEAST Miami dinner will be sourced from Verde Gardens run by Urban Oasis Project. And last, but not least, we want to have fun!

ND: Why is this type of program important?

LP/SC: It’s about supporting artists and small arts organizations. We’d like to provide funding on a small scale to as many artists and organizations as possible. FEAST Miami aims to fund and expand individual artist projects, as well as small start-up arts organizations. Projects like these that are supported by the community and for the community are essential to building a strong society. Through FEAST Miami, we hope to rally excitement and encourage camaraderie.

ND: Why is the meal essential to heal?

LP/SC: Hippocrates said “let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” By eating a well-balanced array of whole foods, you treat your body with respect. Whether you are dealing with sickness or striving to have optimal health, eating mainly whole foods is the key to healing your body. Food is our fuel both physically, emotionally, and spiritually, which can be said about art too. The healthy eating movement is booming. People want to eat healthy, they want it to taste good, and people want to buy local. FEAST Miami offers all of that, plus funds for artists.

ND: How will you reach the community outside of the usual circle?

LP/SC: We are combining our resources and networks to introduce people to FEAST Miami. Like we said, we want people who wouldn’t normally come to this type of event, in addition to the arts and vegan communities. It’s about exposing people to plant-based foods and the arts, and through this process, kick start new art projects. Through the support of Knight Foundation and Whole Foods Market, as well as EcoMarketStore.com, Girasole Vineyards, Societe Perrier and Veev, we are reaching a greater audience.

Additionally, we are working with our Project Manager, Heber Siquerios, and a great Advisory Committee that includes Alison Burgos and Michelle Alexis Gaber of Seed Miami Food & Wine Festival, Rene Gonzalez of Gonzalez Architecture, Kerry McLaney of 305 Creative Group & Miami’s Independent Thinkers, Nathalia Orquera of Maria Loves Green, and Liza Gallardo Walton of Miami Social Marketing. Additionally, the finalists themselves reach an even greater community. The finalists for the first dinner were Cat Del Buono & Vivian Marthell / ReFemme; Liz Ferrer/ Southernmost Situations; Heroes Unite/ Mobile Micro Theater; Amanda Season Keeley / Exile Books and Juan Carlos Zaldivar.

ND: Tell us about the nature of these meals.

LP/SC: The dinners will be fun and have a familial feel to them. These dinners are not fancy fundraisers. There will be a suggested donation of $60. Additional donations are encouraged and at the same time, we want the dinners to be accessible to anyone who wants to attend. Some of the dinners will be buffet style. Some may be plated style. Some may be passed hors d’oeuvres.

ND: What’s the scariest and most exciting thing about putting this kind of event together?

LP/SC: The most exciting thing about this project is thinking about how many people we will impact both in the art world and the food world. We are committed to supporting South Florida-based artists, local like-minded businesses and local farmers, and we see that this project will touch all of these communities. Impacting these groups in a positive way is why we applied to the Knight Arts Challenge and why we are doing this project.

ND: When’s the next FEAST?

LP/SC: The second FEAST Miami dinner will be held Sunday, August 3rd at 6 p.m. at Emerson Dorsch Gallery located at 151 NW 24th Street in Wynwood. The deadline for artists, independent curators and producers and small arts organizations to apply is July 3, 2014.

To apply to FEAST Miami, visit feastmiami.org.