Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: The Fuel Bar at JD3 Safford not only provides fresh, healthy, and delicious items but is now offering meal prep as well.
Now offering meal prep
By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD – If you’re looking to fuel up after a workout or just want to eat something that is both healthy and delicious, then The Fuel Bar at JD3 Safford at 926 S. 1st Ave. is the place for you. And now, they’re offering meal prep one can take and enjoy throughout the week.
Gabriella Pena created her kitchen to serve not only the gym and health-conscious clientele, but with a palate that tingles tasteful sensations, it is also a favorite of those just looking for something that tastes great.
The business came about somewhat by chance after learning that a new gym was looking for a smoothie operator.
“Josh and Kelly (Patton), the gym owners of JD3 Fitness offered me the opportunity, and I couldn’t help but feel more blessed to take it on,” Pena said. “This has always been a dream of mine for many years, I just thought I’d never have the opportunity to open a business like this. It’s been a dream.”
Smoothies and shakes feature a various assortment of fruits or vegetables and toppings can be added to the smoothie bowls, including locally-sourced granola from Kelly’s Klusters.
“Our shakes are not only healthy but are delicious,” Pena said.
The Fuel Bar at JD3 Safford is located at 926 S. 1st Ave. and is indeed located inside the JD3 Fitness Safford, making it an ideal partner with its numerous healthy options and protein-rich concoctions. However, curbside pickup is also available for those who do not use the fitness center.
It offers breakfast items, including avocado toast, oatmeal, and now pumpkin spice protein yogurt parfait; lunch items such as sandwiches, wraps, and salads; and an eclectic array of smoothies, smoothie bowls, and protein shakes.
Some of the best-selling items are their pesto chicken sandwich, and chicken avocado salad. All the dressings for the salads are homemade with no refined sugars or high-fructose corn syrup.
“We are very conscious about the ingredients in our food,” Pena said. “That’s one thing I am passionate about and one thing that drove me to open The Fuel Bar is learning over the past few years about the ingredients that are in our food. I decided to bring that into The Fuel Bar and incorporate it and we’re very conscious about the ingredients that we make into all of our recipes. So, you don’t have to worry about what’s in the food here. It’s all healthy (and) clean.”
In addition to offering its wide assortment of salads, sandwiches, shakes, and smoothies, The Fuel Bar at JD3 Safford is now also providing meal prep, with includes a variety of different meals customers can take home and keep refrigerated until they are ready to heat to serve.
Meal prep pickup days will be Wednesdays and Saturdays with pre-orders the week prior. Those made meals are still single-meal items but are meant to be kept refrigerated throughout the week if needed and can be taken to work to reheat for a lunch break or elsewhere when you can’t make it to The Fuel Bar for ready-made food. Some of the meal prep items include a Philly Cheesesteak, beef stroganoff, chicken and rice, pineapple chicken bowl, beefy broccoli, and more.
“Our goal for the meal prep is to make healthy meals that are easier for you to have on hand,” Pena said.
Operational times vary, so your best bet is to check The Fuel Bar at JD3 Safford’s Facebook page for updated times. Online ordering can also be done here and customers can also order by phone at (928) 424-3488.
