Community Kitchen Spotlight: Keosha Hooks of Fresh Peak Natural Juices
Keosha Hooks shares how having the opportunity to work in Local First Arizona’s South Phoenix Community Kitchen Program is a trip down memory lane and a path toward successfully starting her own juice business.
Keosha has many fond memories of growing up in South Phoenix, including seeing the bountiful orchards and farms along Baseline Rd. The landscape has changed through the years, but Keosha’s connection to her community is as strong as ever.
In her early years, Keosha was a Kindergarten student at Palmdale, (now the G. Benjamin Brooks Academy, where the community kitchen is located). But now, instead of spending her time playing outside on the playground, Keosha has rolled up her sleeves and now works in the school’s former cafeteria to support her business, Fresh Peak Natural Juices. The cafeteria is part of Local First Arizona’s Community Kitchen and Incubation Program, which allows burgeoning food entrepreneurs the opportunity to start a business—providing them with the use of a commercial kitchen space and resources to get their business off the ground.
Now Keosha can focus on turning what was once a hobby into a career, by operating out of the licensed, community kitchen. Keosha is passionate about the quality of her juice and offers all-natural, preservative-free, fresh pressed juices. There are no artificial flavors or sweeteners added— just pure, natural nutrient goodness. Keosha wants to share her healthy juice lifestyle with her South Phoenix community and beyond, and she hopes it can help decrease cases of diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, and cancer. Keosha is continuing to form deep relationships directly with South Phoenix farmers to provide the organic fruits and vegetables she juices. Keosha’s special care and attention to quality shows her love for her customers, and her foundation that is deeply rooted in the South Phoenix community.
Click here to learn more about Local First Arizona’s Community Kitchens and Food Entrepreneur Programs.