This fall, Artisan Southport, the beloved farm-to-table restaurant at the Delamar Hotel, led by Chef Frederic Kieffer, will host a unique dinner— one that helps children around the world get access to food. Artisan is teaming up with the CEO and Founder of FEED, Lauren Bush Lauren, for a charity dinner to support FEED's nonprofit, The FEED Foundation. The foundation's mission is to support innovative solutions for tomorrow's more resilient and equitable global food system, including school meal programs, which the brand has supported for over 17 years. Every purchase from FEED, a certified B Corporation, supports the brand's on-the-ground partners: No Kid Hungry, the UN World Food Programme, and Akshaya Patra, and the dinner is another way to further FEED's mission of ending childhood hunger. Artisan is the perfect host. “We are a farm-to-table restaurant first, and we thought it would be a great partnership to work with someone that aligns with that sustainability philosophy and gives back to the cause of children in need,” says Erin Kenning Spiegel, director of PR and communications for Delamar Hotels. And Lauren Bush Lauren tells Westport Lifestyle she was “thrilled” when the opportunity to come to Southport arose. “We love activating locally with strong, engaged communities,” she says. Westport Lifestyle sat down with Lauren to talk about her company and what she will bring when she comes to Fairfield County this fall.
Westport Lifestyle: How did the original idea for FEED come about?
Lauren Bush Lauren: FEED was an idea I first had when I was a sophomore in college. I had the opportunity to travel with the UN World Food Programme, and through that on-the-ground experience, seeing the realities of poverty and hunger, I wanted to do something to give back. Candidly, at the time, I didn’t know what that would be. Hunger is this massive and overwhelming global issue, and yet we know how to solve it. We know it takes meals.
Here in the U.S., our government can support school feeding programs, but so many countries don't have that safety net. I started FEED as a way to raise money and awareness to fund school feeding programs around the world, as well as here in the U.S.
I also really love design and I was involved in the fashion industry at the time. I was struggling: do I become a fashion designer, or do I become a humanitarian aid worker? And when I had the idea for FEED, I realized I could combine them. Creating products for a brand while getting to give back and be an entrepreneur was a win-win.
WL: You started FEED in 2007. How has it evolved since then?
LBL: Retail in general has evolved so much since 2007! When we first started, we were a singular burlap bag, and for the first five years, we only had two or three similar looking bags. We had a realization: oh, we need to create newness— travel bags and pouches and work bags and more. Such an interesting and fun part of my job is trying to keep up with trends and stay ahead of the curve. We’ve also had a lot of amazing partnerships with companies like Target, Whole Foods, West Elm, Williams-Sonoma, Ralph Lauren, Clarins— the list goes on and on. It’s been so much fun to get to partner with these larger brands and retailers that want to do good and give back through partnering with FEED.
WL: You mentioned considering fashion design as a career before launching FEED. How would you describe your personal style?
LBL: I would say it’s classic—obviously I married into a very classic American fashion family! [Lauren’s husband is Ralph Lauren’s son, David Lauren, and she’s from a storied American family herself— her grandfather is George H.W. Bush and her uncle is George W. Bush.] That’s very aligned with my aesthetic, so it works nicely!
WL: Tell us more about the dinner at Artisan. What can people expect?
LBL: This felt like a ready-made perfect FEED Supper, where we take what is generally a gala-style fundraiser and make it more intimate and conversational. It’s a way to meet neighbors and friends, and the Connecticut community has been really supportive of FEED. I think it will be a beautiful coming together of people learning about FEED and school meals and the importance of the program. I’m so excited.
WL: FEED has helped provide over 127 million meals to children around the world. When you think back on all you've accomplished, what brings you the most joy?
LBL: Any time I see someone with a FEED bag walking down the street, it’s a high. But really, it’s the fact that this little idea has been able to have such an impact on the lives of children around the world.
For more information on the FEED dinner at Artisan Southport and to make a reservation, visit artisansouthport.com