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Tuesday, 09 July 2024
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Written by Staff Report
Tell us about yourself and your business.
Hello, I'm April Perton, a former military spouse with a global footprint living in various locations worldwide. While Fayetteville may not be my native home, it has become a significant part of my story. In addition to my diverse experiences, I'm a proud mother with one daughter currently navigating the college journey. My household is complete with the delightful presence of two amazing dogs, adding joy and companionship to my life. Through my journey, I've embraced the richness of different cultures and now find fulfillment in the unique community of Fayetteville.
Cooking4Fitness is located in Downtown Fayetteville, steps from the Market Square at 130 Bow St. Our hours are based on private bookings and or events that are posted on our website: www.cooking4fitness.com; @Cooking4Fitness, LLC on Facebook.
Please tell the readers about your educational background and the careers you have held/professional life.
I have a bachelor's in business management, fitness certifications for over 10 years and several educational certificates in health and wellness, including becoming a nutritionist with Food Saved Me Institute. I spent over 20 years in IT at BlueCross BlueShield of Georgia, working overseas and within the US, before retiring early.
Transitioning to health and wellness, I became a fitness instructor for military families in several military bases, including Fort Liberty. I moved to Fayetteville in 2016 and founded Cooking4Fitness in 2017. Our mission is simple: bring healthier cooking back home. We aim to inspire families in the community to make healthier choices regarding their meals and overall well-being. Being a "cooking coach" nutritionist has become my love to help everyone love cooking just as much as we
love eating.
Did you have mentors or people who inspired you in your work?
Many inspiring individuals have led me to this career path, including my parents and sister, who have worked in a hospital for more than 10 years. My mother's strength to overcome breast cancer twice and the strength of my "local" mom, Ouida Heilman, who is from right here in Fayetteville, inspire me. Awareness of cancer and other health diseases is important for us all to be aware of. Leading healthier lifestyles and attending workshops are ways that everyone can get the information and learn.
What is your position in the business?
I'm the proud owner of Cooking4Fitness, a company with an incredible team of cooking coaches. Our diverse group includes mothers, teachers and RN professionals, all passionate about hosting and educating the community.
At Cooking4Fitness, we go beyond traditional workshops. Our role extends to conducting teambuilding sessions for small businesses, collaborating with military groups, and offering personalized sessions for individual families. We believe in more than just workshops; we like to say, "We change lives."
As the business owner, I proudly lead a team of amazing partners. I hesitate to call them employees because, to us, it's not just a job — it's a shared mission. Together, we are a passionate group of five cooking coaches dedicated to spreading the message of healthy cooking and lifestyle choices. Our collaborative efforts go beyond a traditional employer-employee dynamic; we are a team united in our commitment to empowering individuals and families with the knowledge and skills to lead healthier lives through mindful eating and cooking practices.
What is unique about the business?
Our company is not just about cooking; it's a unique blend of culinary expertise and essential kitchen education. We go beyond recipes, delving into the safety aspects of our kitchens. From understanding the contents of our refrigerators to examining the potential effects of cooking materials on our food, we provide comprehensive educational information. Our goal is to empower individuals with knowledge about the entire food preparation process, ensuring delicious, safe and healthy meals for the families we reach.
What inspired you to start this business?
The inspiration behind Cooking4Fitness goes beyond my personal experiences; it stems from witnessing the impact of health issues, particularly cancer, within my own family. Observing numerous families grappling with health challenges such as heart disease, weight problems and diabetes, I realized that many of these issues were linked to a lack of understanding or misinformation about food. This realization fueled my commitment to make a difference through our company, advocating for healthier eating habits to positively impact lives and prevent such health issues in the community.
What makes your job and business exciting and fun?
The true measure of success for Cooking4Fitness lies in our impact on families. If we can shift the perspective of just one family towards the importance of cooking healthier, steering them away from constant reliance on eating out, and guiding them back to the tradition of preparing meals together at home, then we've achieved something significant.
Can you share any stories or highlights from your work?
Over the past six years in Fayetteville, Cooking4Fitness has had the privilege of stepping into countless homes and working with diverse groups, emphasizing the significance of cooking healthier. Whether it's an intimate session highlighting the ease of home cooking or collaborating with larger groups, we've had special moments with over 1,000 individuals. Our journey is not just about teaching recipes; it's about sharing our passion for cooking and fostering a love for preparing wholesome meals at home. And with enthusiasm undiminished, we look forward to continuing this journey, reaching even more individuals and making a lasting impact on their approach to healthier living through cooking.
We have a host of workshops, from Food Addiction 911 to African American Nutrition, and offer complementary at-home presentations in which we will walk the families through grocery shopping and cooking. We also share necessary products for a healthier kitchen and educate the community on what's in their kitchens.
Do you have events?
We host at least one open house monthly and at least two to three workshops at our office and throughout the community. Families can call us to schedule their date and time for a class. Businesses can contact us for Lunch and Learn sessions for their staff or even schedule teambuilding in our office.
Do you have plans to expand or offer new things in your business?
We would love to expand throughout North Carolina and the surrounding areas of Fayetteville. We do have a few reps in the Charlotte area. We will continue to work and grow with other Health and Wellness organizations and community outreach.
Editor's Note: This article first ran in the March 2024 Women's View magazine.
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Tuesday, 09 July 2024
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Written by Staff Report
Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity, in partnership with Fayetteville State University’s Athletic Department, hosted a call-to-action event, Homecourt: A Conversation with Coach Roy Williams, at the Felton J. Capel Arena on FSU's campus. The event brought together community members, supporters, and sports enthusiasts to explore Habitat's mission.
The legendary Coach Roy Williams came down to speak about the intersection of sports and community housing.
The goal of this fundraiser was to support Habitat's mission and educate the public on all the work that FAHFH does, including Homeownership, Critical Repairs, the work of the ReStore on Bragg Boulevard, and Trade Days.
"The work of Habitat is creating partnerships to promote affordable housing, helping keep our seniors in the homes they’ve worked so hard to pay for, and inspiring the next generation," said Brandon Price, CEO of Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity.
The event commenced with a VIP meet-and-greet session, followed by a lunch and a stimulating conversation between Coach Roy Williams and Brandon Price. Attendees had the unique opportunity to hear Coach Williams share his insights on the significance of secure and reliable housing and how it has influenced his coaching career, along with a "Q and A session" and a silent auction of items Coach Williams had generously signed.
In addition to the engaging discussion, the Felton J. Capel Arena was adorned with storyboards highlighting the experiences of Habitat beneficiaries.
Exhibits showcased tools and items from the ReStore, as well as displays from the Trade Days initiative, providing attendees with a comprehensive understanding of FAHFH's impact on the community.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to the event sponsors whose generosity made Homecourt possible: Fayetteville State University Athletic Department, Leidos, Cape Fear Valley Health, Up & Coming Weekly, Cumulus Media, Longleaf Pine Realtors, Land Stout, Allegra, and Sweet Valley Ranch. Special thanks to Tony Wooten for his exceptional photography, and to The Belmont Village and Balloon Pops for their services, which contributed to the event's success.
Homecourt not only raised awareness about the crucial issue of affordable housing but also successfully generated funds to support FAHFH's projects, such as the Trade Days of Summer that is coming up this July.
This construction camp will provide a hands-on learning experience for high school students who are interested in making a career in the trades. They are grateful to all attendees, sponsors, and volunteers for their unwavering support in building homes, communities, and hope.
For more information about Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity and upcoming events, please visit the website at fayettevillenchabitat.org.
(Photo: Coach Roy Williams speaks to a crowd at the Felton J. Capel Arena at FSU for the Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity Homecourt event, June 27.)
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