CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A former food tour business owner and cancer survivor is giving back to cancer patients.

What You Need To Know

  • A former food tour business owner is providing free meals to people battling cancer

  • Kristi Martin, who was diagnosed with leukemia and had a bone marrow transplant, is behind Feast for Good

  • Cancer patients receive gift cards or free meals from people in the local culinary industry during treatment

Kristi Martin owned FEAST Food Tours in Charlotte, which was in business from 2012 to 2020. She was also a member of a local organization of chefs and farmers. 

Martin was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in 2018 and had a bone marrow transplant in April of 2019. 

Due to her ties to the culinary scene in Charlotte, she said chefs and farmers rallied around her and provided a meal train during her treatment. 

“It was just a lifesaver,” Martin said. 

Martin, who is now in remission, wanted to provide the same experience to others battling cancer. 

“Who wouldn’t want the best chefs in Charlotte cooking for you when you are not feeling the best? I felt, why can't we give the same treatment to those that are battling cancer,” Martin said. 

FEAST Food Tours paused operations in 2021, and in 2022, Martin created the nonprofit Feast for Good. The organization provides gift cards and free meals from the local culinary community to people battling cancer. 

“Our biggest goal is to reduce worry and stress,” Martin said. 

Recipient Vanessa Knight received meals over the course of three months while she was undergoing chemotherapy.  

“The first meal was absolutely amazing. It was a Godsend because when you don’t have the ability to do for yourself, it’s a feeling of hopelessness. It’s debilitating,” Knight said. 

Knight is grateful for the meals and for Martin’s support.

“She sat and she spoke with me about her journey, gave me comfort on what I was going through because it was very scary,” Knight said. 

Martin has helped eight families thus far and hopes to help many more in the future. 

“If we can provide that comfort, that’s what’s important,” Martin said. 

The people Martin helps come from referrals social workers and nurse navigators send to her. 

Once she contacts a client, she reaches out to conduct a needs assessment before coordinating the best time for her to deliver the food.