Executive chef at the Cancer Treatment Center of America creates an organic farm and knows the healing power of food.
Picture this! A grinning handsome Italian chef running through an organic garden to bring you arm loads of healthy veggies. Now know this same man has one goal in life. That goal? To make your body well and happy by feeding you amazing healthy produce. Introducing Frank Caputo, executive chef at the Cancer Treatment Center of America (CTCA) in GoodYear, Arizona. A passionate storyteller, Frank is guaranteed to have you smiling, inspired, and lovingly full of his organic creations.
CTCA is a place of hope for the families and patients impacted by the pain of cancer. As with every loving member of the CTCA team, Frank’s vision is to see all who walk through his doors healed. His vision inspired an organic farm on the grounds of the CTCA campus. The farm is a labor of love in Frank’s world because he understands that food is truly medicine.
Frank is a child of Italian immigrants. He tells me the story of his parents coming to United States in search of a new life. Neither parent spoke English yet are very much the American success story. His father started in the coal mines, learned English, and together his parents saved up enough money to buy an Inn. Downstairs the family started a pizza shop, honoring the legacy passed down to his mother through generations. Every summer Frank would travel to Italy and assist at his grandparents farm. On the land of his heritage he learned about tending animals, growing vegetables, and even making his own olive oil. A foundation he would carry with him for life.
No stranger to hard work Frank worked multiple jobs (often at the same time!) to help support his family and build a life for himself. One day as if divinely inspired, Frank felt the calling to attend the Culinary Institute of America in Upstate New York. He made an appointment for three months in the future and didn’t tell anyone of his plan. The day came to meet with the school and he knew he had discovered his dream. He came home and told his mother about his plans. She cried happy tears and said to him, “… but how are you going to do this??” Frank smiled, reassured her, and “Don’t worry mom. I will make it happen.” And make it happen he did. Frank gave himself a year to save as much money as possible. The day came and he got on the bus and life changed forever.
His mentor, instructor, and ultimately best friend, Jack Shoop, took Frank under his wing determined to make sure his brilliance emerged. As with any metamorphosis, growth often doesn’t come easy. Frank tells me that the program was like “boot camp for cooking’ and happily describes Jack as a “maniac”. Frank worked with Jack for many years after college and tears up when he speaks of Jack’s recent death, describing him as the “personification of what I always dreamed to be”.
In November of 2010 while working at the CTCA Frank had an idea. Not one to conform and always to speak his mind, he was in a meeting with the executive team, and when asked if he needed anything, he spoke up and said YES I do! Grabbing the opportunity with both hands, he boldly stated, I want a farm. The team asked him how this would happen? Did he really want to become a farmer? Frank’s response was to tell the leadership, “If a farmer is what I need to become to get fresh nutritious food then that is what I will do.” As we know dreams do come true. In 2011 Frank and the CTCA, in partnership with McClendon Select, completed the first planting. Today they have a huge variety of fruits and vegetables with a year around growing season. No chemicals on this amazing farm. A natural testament to the power of mama earth and resilience.
Frank knows we are what we eat and repeatedly told me of his love for organic food and feeding people well. He understands that nutrition is healing and food is to be respected. We talked about the importance of education and sharing the knowledge. Frank’s eyes light up when he agrees and tells me about the workshops he leads to bring healthy knowledge to the community.
As Frank and I were walking the farm, I came upon beautiful baby trees. I asked about them and received an unexpected answer. First I will tell you the trees are dozens of types of fruit and citrus. The answer I didn’t expect is they are planted in celebration of life. Every survivor has a tree planted for them. Another moment of love and tears.
At CTCA you are always offered fresh garden fruit and veggies. Order a fresh squeezed juice or a kale smoothie and know your food was grown with love.
At LoveSelf we believe it is time to start a new direction. One that knows that all earth’s abundance feeds us. A return to the basics that food heals and loves. Frank and his team know this well.
Frank – Jack is proud of you. This I know.
Check out Frank’s recipe for Quinoa Salad. Don’t forget to learn more about the why your body loves Quinoa.
