Nonprofit organization GAP Ministries cooks more than 90,000 meals for the Tucson community a year. Utilizing a surplus of donated food that otherwise would have been thrown away, the organization creates meals for foster children at their group homes, children in Title 1 schools and daycares, homebound seniors and families in need.
Additionally, GAP Ministries offers a free culinary training program for unemployed and at-risk individuals to build job skills necessary for the culinary industry and catering services that funnel funds back into their philanthropic efforts.
The GAP Ministries kitchen is a busy place, which leads Executive Chef John Hohn to consider three things above all: cost, quality and efficiency.
“We look for 21st century solutions; products that help us operate smarter, safer and more effectively in a modern production kitchen. The newest innovations matter because they allow us to serve more people with excellence while stewarding our resources well,” said Hohn.
To help increase storage and streamline processes for his team, Hohn worked with his local Cambro sales representatives to find the best Cambro products for their needs.
“We need the right product at the right price. That doesn’t just mean upfront cost, it means long-term cost. The cheapest product sometimes costs you three times as much if it breaks three times as fast.”
Like many chefs tired of dealing with the same failing speed racks, the first Cambro products to catch Hohn’s attention were the Ultimate Sheet Pan Rack and the Camshelving® GN Food Pan Trolleys.
“The majority of traditional speed racks break within a couple of years; the shelves break off and are virtually not fixable. They’re also very hard to clean,” said Hohn.
The Ultimate Sheet Pan Rack
“When I found out about the Ultimate Sheet Pan Rack, I was blown away. You can take pieces off and wash them. And if for some reason a shelf breaks (which hasn’t happened yet and I’ve had one for over a year because we bought one to test), you can replace that one piece instead of the whole rack,’ said Hohn.
Made from the same durable and rust-free material as Camshelving Elements® XTRA Series, the Ultimate Sheet Pan Rack won’t rust or corrode from top to bottom, including the casters!
The Camshelving GN Food Pan Trolley
For years, chefs suffered in silence as they used speed racks to hold hotel pans; there simply wasn’t another way. Thanks to the innovative GN Food Pan Trolley, chefs can finally effectively store hotel pans.
“The GN Food Pan Trolley saves space and equipment. To store my hotel pans, I don’t need extra sheet pans, and it takes up half the space, allowing me to double my storage,” said Hohn.
Every chef knows that storage space is paramount. Each Camshelving product is designed to create more storage without adding an inch to their floor plan.
“Kitchen space is some of the most expensive real estate we have. So if something takes up twice the space, it ‘costs us’ twice as much,” said Hohn.
Elements XTRA Series High Density Floor Track Storage System
“The track system is what makes the biggest impact for us,” said Hohn.
Previously, Hohn had 13 shelving units going straight down the walls, which wasted valuable storage space in the middle of the room. After installing Elements XTRA Series High Density Floor Track Storage System, Hohn was able to add an additional 7 units in the same space he was using before!
“We can organize more efficiently. I don’t have to mix pasta, equipment, and spices on the same rack anymore; everything has its place. That makes our operation cleaner and more efficient, saving time—and time is our most valuable asset,” said Hohn.
The Cambro Difference
Our reps are an invaluable resource to our customers. They are knowledgeable about the newest and most innovative products that can make a major difference in your operation.
Far from just a smiling face, our representatives are ready to do whatever you need to accomplish your goals in the kitchen. Hohn worked with his local Arizona reps, Power Rep Marketing Group. (Click here to find your local Cambro sales rep.)
“Nick [Armstrong] is the man! He did what was right for us, and that’s what matters most,” said Hohn. “We can’t say enough good things about him. He’s a ‘sales guy’ who came down multiple times to measure, give expert advice and only sell us what would truly benefit us. He even got his hands dirty and helped with most of the installation.”
GAP Ministries is a Tucson-based nonprofit that supports vulnerable children, families and individuals through a wide range of services aimed at breaking cycles of poverty and abuse. Its overall mission is to bring help to children, healing to families, and hope to the community.
