General Contractor for Ceres’ Future Home
From left to right, Josh Grigg, Seth Maze, and Dan Hannan from GMH Builders.
Ceres Community Project has announced that GMH Builders will serve as general contractor for the organization’s new Center for Food, Youth and Community to be built in southwest Santa Rosa. The regional nonprofit provides medically tailored meals to residents in Sonoma, Marin and several other northern California counties. Construction is expected to begin in early Fall.
Cathryn Couch, CEO and Founder of Ceres, shared “We are excited to be partnering with the terrific team at GMH Builders. They bring significant experience on projects relevant to the Center, but even more importantly believe in our mission and are committed to bringing this project home on time and on budget with as much community contribution as possible.”
The land for their future home was purchased in late July of 2023 and entitlements were received shortly after. Ceres is currently working through the permit process with the city of Santa Rosa. Ceres considered four locally owned companies before making a selection. GMH Builders is a dynamic, locally owned construction company with a solid presence in the Northern California region. With a steadfast commitment to quality and sustainability, they build structures that enhance lives and contribute positively to the communities they serve. The address for Ceres’ future home is 1237 Apollo Way, and the new space totals at 19,611 square feet including a large commercial kitchen with dry storage and 2,600 square feet of cooler and freezer space, a large Community Room and teaching space, a Client Resource Center and office space. Over the next decade, Ceres will scale operations in stages, from their current annual meal count of 225,000 up to 800,000, in concert with growing contract and other funding sources.
"At GMH Builders, we view every project as an opportunity to make a meaningful impact," says Seth Maze, President of GMH Builders. "Our partnership with the Ceres Community Project embodies this ethos perfectly. We bring a range of relevant project experiences to Ceres, from our recently completed Cardinal Newman Student Life Center in Santa Rosa to the Russian River Health and Wellness Center in Guerneville. Together with Ceres, we're
not just building structures but creating vibrant, nourishing environments where communities can thrive."
Ceres’ project team consulted extensively with several colleague members of the Food is Medicine Coalition who have extensive experience producing up to 3,000,000 medically tailored meals each year in designing the new space. By the end of the first full year in operation in their new home, with a modest increase in meal production, Ceres expects to see a 12% reduction in per-meal costs due to increased efficiency in equipment, energy use and staffing. The Center for Food, Youth & Community will mean a 65% decrease in per-meal energy use and 81% reduction in per meal carbon output.
With a strong Board of Directors, an active Finance Committee that provide monthly oversight of financial performance, diversified funding, and a seven-year business plan, Ceres is in a strong financial position to build their new home and grow for the long term.
About Ceres:
The Ceres Community Project prepares and delivers medically tailored meals for people suffering from serious illness. The meals are created under the guidance of a registered dietitian and are tailored for all manner of ailments from cancer to diabetes. Ceres sources 100% organic ingredients for their meals, growing much of the produce themselves in their local gardens. Ceres doesn’t only provide nourishing food to the sick, but also a nourishing experience for local teens through their youth development program. Teens gain valuable life and job skills in Ceres’ gardens and commercial kitchens, where they are the primary gardeners and cooks. Ceres is a pioneer in the Food is Medicine movement, helping to ensure equitable access to medically appropriate food through research and policy initiatives. Their model of meal preparation and youth development has been copied throughout the country and into Europe through their Affiliate Partner Program.
About GMH Builders:
GMH Builders is a distinguished construction management and general contracting firm headquartered in Sonoma, California. Rooted in a commitment to enhancing the lives of individuals and communities, the firm boasts a stellar track record marked by enduring relationships, exceeding expectations, and a steadfast dedication to sustainability. From intricate tenant improvements to expansive large-scale technical projects, the firm's diverse portfolio showcases a passion for project excellence and innovation. GMH Builders ensures that each structure not only meets the immediate needs of communities but also stands as a testament to longevity and environmental responsibility. The firm's focus on excellence, sustainability, and timely delivery positions GMH Builders as a trusted partner for projects that stand the test of time. For more information, please visit https://www.gmhbuild.com/