Zak the Baker & O, Miami Offer Free Bread in Exchange for Original Poems

O, Miami and Zak the Baker want to know: What is Miami’s food culture? What grows in our alkaline and motley soil? Who picks the avocados? Who cooks the collards? What cultures, rituals, and memories season our food?

O, Miami believes that South Florida has a regional cuisine just as unique and compelling as any other in the world. To nurture and celebrate this idea, the local arts nonprofit has teamed up—for the third year in a row—with Wynwood-based bakery, Zak the Baker, to create a month-long “Poems for Bread” trade.

Participating patrons will receive one loaf of bread in exchange for a handwritten haiku on the theme of “Miami food.” On November 14, two winners will be announced: one grand prize winner will receive free bread for a year, and one runner-up will receive a native fruit tree.

Poems must be written at Zak the Baker on custom O, Miami prompt cards and submitted during hours of operation, which are Sunday to Friday from 7am to 5pm, with the exception of October 2, 7, 8, 14, and 15, when the bakery will be closed. “Poems for Bread” is limited to one trade per person per day, and includes all fresh bread in the bakery with the exception of braided challah, while supplies last.

In the spirit of creativity and connection, South Floridians are encouraged to lean into unexpected ways of participating in the activation, like gifting a loaf to a neighbor, or inviting coworkers to visit the bakery for a poetic (and delicious) lunch break. The O, Miami team will be on-site on October 1, from 8-10am to kick-off “Poems for Bread.” All are welcome to join.

O, Miami is currently taking project proposals for their 15th annual Poetry Festival: Poetry & Wonder, slated for next April. Submissions are free and open to all. The nonprofit teaches poetry in schools through the Sunroom education program and publishes poems in books, rooftops, billboards, fences, and more. The work is an act of love for South Florida, inviting residents to share their stories and write a new one together.

To learn more about O, Miami or submit a project proposal, visit omiami.org.