LOCAL FIRST: EXPERIENCE NUTRITION Melanie Albert was inspired by her mother to dedicate her life to healthy eating, which led to her business, Experience Nutrition, in 2010. “I first became interested in nutrition and the power of food more than 25 years ago when my mom, who is now 91, was diagnosed with breast cancer,” said Albert. “This was the turning point when I decided to learn everything I could about healthy eating and good nutrition for my mom. As it turned out, it was also the turning point for my entrepreneurial business to share my passion with others.” Albert is the author of “A New View of Healthy Eating” and worked for Dr. Andrew Weil for several years. Working with professional athletes also inspired her. “Many years after my mom’s cancer diagnosis, my passion was again ignited when I learned about former NFL players’ health issues and taught many of them how to cook simple, healthy meals,” she said. “I believe that people can learn about good nutrition through hands-on experiences.” KITCHEN DOORS {let’s eat} PROUD MEMBER: PROUD MEMBER OF: PROUD MEMBER OF: Photos courtesy of Experience Nutrition Like most business owners, Albert had to make some changes due to the pandemic. “Prior to COVID, nearly all of my programs were live cooking demos, events or retreats,” she said. “When all my in-person events were canceled, I started to produce cooking videos for corporate clients and our local community who were cooking more at home. Experience Nutrition continues to offer plant- based, farm-to-table cooking experiences, now with an online and virtual interactive culinary program.” Albert channeled her passion for helping the community during the pandemic. “I am very proud to have participated in the Feed Phoenix program with Local First Arizona and the City of Phoenix,” she said. “With this incredible program, chefs created meals with our local farmers’ food to serve our community. Experience Nutrition had the honor to prepare 380 healthy, delicious, plant-based, farm-to-table meals.” Albert is more passionate than ever about nutrition and working with local suppliers. “I love beautiful food and enjoy sharing how to prepare healthy, eye-catching dishes with our Arizona farmers’ produce, herbs and edible flowers.” To learn more, go to experiencenutrition.com . “ I BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE CAN LEARN ABOUT GOOD NUTRITION THROUGH HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES.” MELANIE ALBERT JAN 2021 | 40 | FRONTDOORS MEDIA

CARING CHEF: SASHA RAJ OF 24 CARROTS Chef Sasha Raj opened 24 Carrots in Tempe in 2008. “24 Carrots started as an all-natural juice bar and grew into a full-service, plant-based eatery. We serve hearty, healthful, botanically rooted cuisine that is inspired by global flavors and local harvests, centering our menu around approachable dishes,” she said. Community support has always been important to Raj and the staff at 24 Carrots. “We volunteer time to further conversations around food security and to improve the nutritional quality of school lunches. I am so blessed to be able to serve my community in a way that I love,” said Raj, who is involved with the Blue Watermelon Project, a community program that educates local students about healthy eating. When COVID hit, 24 Carrots offered takeout and delivery, as well as family meals and holiday meals, and opened the patio for dining. “While we are not anywhere close to our pre-pandemic sales levels, it has been enough to ensure our team is kept safe and employed, and we are so grateful for that,” said Raj. Raj and her team jumped in to support the community during COVID. “A core principle of our business is to give back,” said Raj. “It’s something we have always done, either with direct service or alongside our nonprofit partners. It became so much more important when this pandemic hit. We set up a partnership with the Wish Foundation to accept monetary donations.” Donations were used to purchase supplies to make meals for over 500 first responders across two hospitals and provide hundreds of meals for nonprofits as well as gift cards for meals for foster children. 24 Carrots utilized its closed dining room to collect supplies for the Navajo Nation, an endeavor organized by Republic Empanada, and is supporting the efforts of Mutual Aid Phoenix with collection drives and supplies. 24 Carrots’ community efforts continue, and they are accepting donations for its Carrot Cares community program through the Wish Foundation. “We are in the process of formalizing our efforts to create our own nonprofit to better serve our community now and for years to come,” said Raj. To learn more, visit 24carrotscafe.square.site . “A CORE PRINCIPLE OF OUR BUSINESS IS TO GIVE BACK. IT’S SOMETHING WE HAVE ALWAYS DONE, EITHER WITH DIRECT SERVICE OR ALONGSIDE OUR NONPROFIT PARTNERS.” Photos courtesy of 24 Carrots SASHA RAJ FRONTDOORS MEDIA | 41 | JAN 2021