Groundworks.

Planning Library · §10 + §11 Implementation

Four phases to open.

Phase A (validation, San Diego, 2026) → Phase B (launch readiness, Monterey, 2027–2028) → Phase C (launch, late 2028 or early 2029) → Phase D (stabilization, 2029–2030). Two go/no-go decisions in between protect against over-investment.

  1. Phase A
    Concept validation
    San Diego, 2026
    In progress

    All activities conducted from San Diego during the Foodshed apprenticeship and early M.N.R.S. coursework.

    • Document Foodshed apprenticeship learnings and apply to Groundworks model
    • Complete 10–15 expert/mentor conversations (priority: Esperanza, ALBA, Coke Farm)
    • Complete community survey on Monterey food hub / education center demand
    • Stress-test financial model against real Monterey-area numbers (rents, permits, foot traffic)
    • Complete legal research on 501(c)(3) formation
    • Execute at least one pop-up supper club or cooking event in SD as proof of concept
    • Complete at least one Monterey scouting trip with organizational meetings
    • Recruit 1–2 founding advisory board members
    • Secure domain and launch Groundworks landing page
    • Get Food Handler Card and ServSafe Manager Certification
    • Order business cards for Monterey scouting
  2. Phase B
    Launch readiness
    Monterey, 2027 – 2028
    Upcoming

    Activities conducted after relocating to the Monterey area.

    • Establish 3–5 committed farm supply relationships (visit Salinas and Pajaro Valley farms)
    • Identify viable commercial space in Seaside or Marina (walk corridors, get real rent quotes, verify zoning)
    • Recruit founding board to 3–5 members with local Monterey connections
    • Build community relationships through farmers' markets, events, volunteering, networking
    • Confirm permitting pathway with Monterey County Health Department
    • Contact City of Seaside and/or Marina Economic Development for nonprofit lease terms and incentives
    • Submit grant applications (USDA LAMP, CDFA, Packard Foundation, CFMC)
    • Begin fundraising campaign for $150K–$250K startup capital
    • Begin Monterey-area adjunct teaching outreach (Hartnell, MPC, Cabrillo department chairs)
    • Launch Groundworks Instagram 3–6 months before opening
    • SBA SBDC Monterey consultation with updated financial model
    • Identify composting partner, coffee roasters, bakery partners, brewery partners for Kegs for a Cause
    • Research bilingual signage/menu translation and identify bilingual staff candidates
  3. Phase C
    Launch
    Late 2028 or early 2029
    Upcoming

    Doors open. The community food culture space becomes real.

    • Sign lease on commercial space (1,500–2,500 SF in Seaside or Marina)
    • Kitchen buildout and Monterey County Health Department inspection
    • Farm stand fixtures, shelving, POS system, signage, CalFresh/EBT terminal
    • Hire first employee: a cook
    • Stock initial inventory from farm partners
    • Bilingual signage and menus installed
    • Insurance secured (general liability, property, workers' comp, ~$15K–$20K/year)
    • Open doors: café and farm stand operating 6 days/week, education programming 2 events/week
    • Community table dinner within first month; Kegs for a Cause within first month
  4. Phase D
    Stabilization
    2029 – 2030
    Upcoming

    The space is running. Now make it sustainable.

    • Hire second employee (programming coordinator or food operations assistant)
    • Expand to 7-day operations once staffing supports it
    • Apply for California ABC Type 41 license (beer and wine, ~$600–$1,000)
    • Add farm box subscription program (Phase 1B) via Local Food Marketplace
    • Expand education programming based on community demand
    • Explore wholesale to restaurants and institutional sales
    • Evaluate membership program
    • Pilot upcycled food product line: source surplus from 1–2 partner farms
    • Drew's hours stabilize at 20–25/week; teaching ramps back up to 1–2 courses/semester
    • Expand bilingual programming: select workshops/events in Spanish, bilingual social media

§11.1 Phase A go/no-go · December 2026

A concept validation checkpoint, not a launch decision.

"Is the concept validated? Do the economics work on paper? Did the expert conversations and apprenticeship confirm the model? Is there energy from potential Monterey partners?"

Criteria for GO (proceed to Phase B)

  • 10–15 expert/mentor conversations completed with positive signal
  • Survey shows 25%+ "definitely would visit" and 40%+ WTP $14+
  • At least 1 pop-up event executed with positive feedback
  • Financial model stress-tested and viable on paper
  • Esperanza, ALBA, and/or Coke Farm conversations confirm the gap
  • Foodshed apprenticeship learnings documented and applied to model
  • 1–2 advisory board members committed

DELAY (extend 3–6 months): most signals positive but survey incomplete or conversations still pending. RELEASE: expert conversations consistently negative, survey shows <20% interest, or financial model doesn't work even with optimistic assumptions. Releasing is a win — the testing produced clarity.

§11.2 Phase B go/no-go · ~mid-2028

The launch decision.

4 Hard Gates (all must pass), 6 Confidence Signals (need 4 of 6), and 6 Red Lights (any one triggers Release or Delay).

Hard gates (all 4 must pass)

G1

Legal entity exists

501(c)(3) filed and pending or approved. Fiscal sponsor active if pending. EIN obtained. Bank account open.

G2

Board minimum met

Minimum 3 board seats filled (Legal, Finance, Philanthropic Connector). 5 seats ideal.

G3

Capital path realistic

Identified funding sources totaling $70K minimum. At least 2 sources confirmed or near-confirmed.

G4

Location identified

1+ viable property with real rent quotes, correct zoning verified, event capability confirmed, landlord willing to negotiate.

Confidence signals (need 4 of 6)

S1
Demand
50+ strangers interested. 25%+ "definitely would visit." 25+ WTP $14+. 40%+ interested in 2+ programming types.
S2
Farm Supply
3–5 farms confirmed for weekly supply at fair wholesale. Major crop gaps addressed.
S3
Expert Validation
3 of 5 mentors/experts say "this has legs." 1+ food service operator has reviewed plan.
S4
Supper Club Proof
1–2 pop-up dinners completed. 20+ attendees. 50%+ stranger ratio. NPS 40+. 1+ chef partner confirmed.
S5
Programming Readiness
3+ speaker commitments for first 6 months. 12+ film titles with rights confirmable. Bookshelf plan complete.
S6
Fundraising Traction
2+ Founder's Table prospects committed or near-committed ($10K+ each). 1+ grant application submitted.

Red lights (any one = release or delay)

  • R1 — Less than 20% "definitely would visit" on survey (100+ responses)
  • R2 — Fewer than 5 farms interested in supply relationship
  • R3 — No viable property after 6+ months of active searching
  • R4 — No realistic funding path to $70K after board is seated
  • R5 — Cannot fill 3 priority board seats after 6+ months
  • R6 — 3+ of 5 expert/mentor conversations result in "don't do this"

The decision

Sign the lease, extend, or release.

  • GO — All 4 gates passed, 4+ signals green, zero red lights. Sign the lease. Proceed to Phase C.
  • DELAY — 1 gate close but not met, OR 3 of 6 signals green with path to 4, OR 1 resolvable red light. Extend 3–6 months.
  • RELEASE — 1+ gates failed (no path), OR <3 signals green, OR 2+ red lights. Release the concept.