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2,000 Served At Half-Mile-Long Table In St. Paul

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Sunday supper is an old school tradition that's still alive and well in some families. And it was alive on a grand scale in St. Paul Sunday, where they shut down Victoria Street for a half-mile to serve 2,000 people on an incredibly long table.

The community meal is the vision of Seitu Junes. He's part artist, part community activist. Just like the meal.

"Part of what I wanted to do here was to begin an over the table convo about food, and our role in the food system," said Jones.

He was commissioned by Public Art St. Paul, which produced the event, turning his artistic vision into reality.

"There is choreography of service by Ananya Dance Company, the grace composed by a poet, and the closing composed by another poet," said Christine Podas-Larson, president of Public Art St. Paul.

Food was prepared by Chef James Baker, who started his prep cooking a month ago, turning the fresh, local ingredients into a bountiful feast to fuel discussion.

"It's like Thanksgiving in September," said Vivian Mims, while chatting with fellow diners. "We're all eating chicken and collard greens, and corn bread, and black beans and rice. It's cool."

And when they were done, the guests left with new friends, full bellies, and a fresh challenge.

"We're going to ask them to make a resolution," said Seitu Jones. "To make a promise to help promote more healthy eating."

In an interesting decision, the meal did not include a dessert. Seitu skipped the sugar, because he wanted to show that you can finish a well-rounded meal without sweets.

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