Project Overview
Whole Foods Market sought to centralize the production of ready-to-eat meals through a first-of-its-kind fresh food production facility designed to support retail store distribution. Ryan was selected to construct the 80,000-square-foot facility, delivering a highly specialized, USDA-compliant environment tailored to complex food production operations.
Through a fast-track construction approach and close coordination with the client, process engineer and equipment vendors, Ryan helped bring the facility online to support operational readiness, production efficiency and long-term program growth.
Unique Features
- USDA-compliant refrigerated production environment designed for food safety and sanitation
- Multiple production zones requiring varying temperatures and wash-down protocols
- 70-degree hot kitchen and -10 degree blast freezer to support specialized food preparation and rapid cooling
- Dedicated wash-down areas designed to support daily sanitation processes
- Partially automated packaging space integrated with specialized food production equipment
- Building systems designed to support complex utility and process requirements
Outcomes
- Constructed a highly specialized fresh food production facility to support Whole Foods Market’s centralized ready-to-eat program
- Coordinated installation and integration of complex process equipment across equipment-ready building areas
- Managed critical utility infrastructure requirements, including steam, compressed air, water, glycol, inert gas, natural gas and central sanitization systems
- Led commissioning coordination to help ensure specialized equipment and systems were fully operational and aligned with production workflows
- Delivered a performance-driven facility capable of supporting food production, sanitation and packaging within a seamless operational environment
