Feeding Tampa Bay

In the heart of Tampa, Feeding Tampa Bay pursued an ambitious goal to eliminate local food insecurity by 2025, necessitating a facility capable of distributing 90 million meals annually. Recognizing the complexity, they turned to Ryan Companies for their warehouse construction expertise and community commitment. The decision was not just transactional; CEO Thomas Mantz’s relationship with Doug Dieck and Ryan’s successful track record in Southeast industrial construction made them the natural design-build partner. 

Functioning as a development consultant, Ryan streamlined complexities from property purchase to construction, emphasizing their adaptability. Key features of the project showcased Ryan’s versatility in constructing a 31,000-square-foot cold storage, a high-production kitchen serving 6,000 daily meals, and multifunctional spaces for a food bank and health clinic. 

Unforeseen challenges, including prolonged permits, poor soil conditions, and jeopardized timelines. The collaboration between Ryan and Feeding Tampa Bay successfully navigated these hurdles with a proactive soil surcharging approach that saved crucial time and ensured timely delivery. 

In the face of challenges, the project team orchestrated offsite infrastructure work with resilience. This marked Feeding Tampa Bay’s inaugural new build, a testament to the trust in Ryan, exceeding expectations and solidifying their legacy as a reliable partner in community-centric construction.