Local Hero Profile: Bella Foodie LLC
Local Hero Profile by Krystal Bagnaschi, CISA Intern
Published in CISA’s March 2021 enewsletter
When Ashley was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 21, it completely changed her life. “When I got sick, I started to learn about what makes me healthy, and found that healthy starts from the inside out. I discovered the power of clean eating and knew I had to share it with my community. From there, Bella Foodie was born.”
Ashley Tresoline is a personal chef and lifelong “foodie.” At Bella Foodie LLC, Ashley teaches cooking classes for children and adults, offers private classes for individuals and businesses, creates custom meal plans, and counsels clients on nutrition, all while promoting local and organic foods.
“I got into this business because I love to cook. I grew up cooking. It’s in my blood.”
With an emphasis on providing clients with local, organic, nourishing foods, Bella Foodie sources from many Local Hero farms in the Pioneer Valley, including, but not limited to, Red Fire Farm, Mapleline Farm, and Mycoterra Farm. Ashley emphasizes the benefits of local food, both for clients’ health and the local economy, in all of her work. “The money stays in the community, the food tastes better, and it’s healthier for us. Eating local and organic makes such a huge difference, and until you’ve been to a farmers’ market and had something that’s been pulled from the ground that morning, you don’t know the difference.”
Like many businesses in the Pioneer Valley and the world, Bella Foodie has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. “I have to say, the last year has been the biggest challenge in my business. But, I’ve learned to adapt and overcome.” Most years, Bella Foodie is best known for their homemade meals and curated event catering, but COVID-19 has pushed the business to pivot towards more individualized options. This includes virtual classes on cooking and meal planning, personally curated meal plans and shopping lists, and a dedicated blog on healthy eating and intentional living. Ashley says that these programs are motivated by her need to help people, which is also her greatest reward. “I want to keep everyone in a happy, healthy place. I talk to you, I get to know you, and I get to know your wants and needs.” At Bella Foodie, creating a specialized, personal experience is everything, even when one-on-one meetings are no longer an easy feat.
Right now, one of Ashley’s biggest COVID-19-safe projects in the works is the Food Reset 3-Month Program. “This time of year, we are inundated with workout and diet programs, cleanses, and “New Year, New You” messages. Well, diet is a four-letter word if you ask me. Instead, we need to focus on sustainable, healthy habits.” This 3-month program includes curated healthy monthly recipes, monthly health habits and cooking tips, weekly check-in calls, customized meal plans for you and your family, help stocking your pantry for success, and four 1-on-1 cooking lessons, all flexible to fit your schedule. Ashley aims to help her clients develop a healthy and happy relationship with food. “Food should make you happy!” Registration for the 3-Month Reset Program runs through the end of March and can be done through the Bella Foodie website here.
What makes Bella Foodie LLC so unique is Ashley’s connection to her clients. Aside from her dedication to personalization and a specialized approach, she has seen firsthand how healthy eating impacts her relationship with M.S. To those impacted by lifelong health problems or recent diagnoses, she says “I can relate. I have been through it. I know what it’s like. I’m not a health coach or dietician or some program you’ve seen on TV where this is just their job. This is my life. I’ve been there, and I can empathize with your situation.” To Ashley, Bella Foodie is much more than a business, but an extension of herself, and her greatest reward in life is helping others. Whether through her blog, classes, workshops, or cooking homemade meals, Ashley aims not only to share her love of food, but her knowledge of how powerful a healthy lifestyle can be in positively affecting physical and mental health.
See for yourself all the work she is doing to promote healthy living, explore her blog, or sign up for one of her monthly classes on her website. Or, you can stay up to date and show Bella Foodie your support by following her on Facebook and Instagram.
