100% Organic Medically Tailored Meals For Your Patients
Why Ceres
We’re dedicated to strengthening the health of people, communities and the planet through exceptional patient care, engaging youth and adult volunteers, educating the community about healthy eating, and supporting a just and sustainable food system.
We provide exceptional care to your patients:
Deliver high quality, 100% organic, medically tailored meals right to your patient’s door.
Reduce social isolation through weekly connections with our volunteer Delivery Angels, phone check-ins, handmade cards, and bouquets of flowers.
Educate clients about nutrition for their illness through one-on-one support from our Nutrition Care Manager RDN and free classes.
What We Provide
Medically tailored meals to meet the nutritional needs of your patients living with chronic and acute illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and more. Ceres does not operate allergen free kitchens.
7-21 healthy, beautiful, delicious and home-delivered meals per week depending on the patient’s illness and contract.
Extra meals and/or grocery bags for clients who are food insecure.
Up to 24 weeks of meals.
Service includes family members and/or caregivers.
Meals that are free or low cost, depending on your patient’s income level.
Client Care and Nutrition Education services in English or Spanish.
Our menu is plant-forward and modeled after the DASH diet, which is an evidence-based approach to prevent and control hypertension.
Testimonials
“The most profound impact Ceres had on me was the kindness of the community. You get a sense of hope when you know there’s people batting for you and a team supporting you.” - Trevor, Ceres Client
“The last patient I referred to Ceres was in the midst of treatment for Hepatitis C. She was severely fatigued, depressed and her white blood cell counts were dangerously low. Once she started receiving Ceres’ meals, she started to feel better and I was amazed when her labs showed a normalization of her white blood cell count. In the eight years that I’ve been treating Hepatitis C, I’d never seen such a dramatic improvement.” - Fasih Hameed, MD
“Covid has made it even harder for patients who were already on the edge. I really felt like Ceres was an incredible part of their sustenance.” - Deborah Donlon, MD, Medical Director, Santa Rosa Community Health
How to Refer Your Patient
Fill out our form. Please email it to clientcareteam@ceresproject.org, or use our HIPAA complaint fax at 707.324.3828.
Our client care team will call back within 48 hours to let you know status of your referral and if we have any questions. If eligible, your patient will receive meals within 7 days. We look forward to serving you and your patients!
Qualifications*
In order to qualify, your patient must be…
Living in Marin or Sonoma Counties.
Dealing with an acute or chronic health challenge, such as cancer, congestive heart failure or diabetes.
Lacking money, resources or caregiver support to prepare appropriate meals.
Not receiving hospice care; not on dialysis.
Stably housed.
Able to refrigerate and reheat meals.
and can be of any age!
Proven Benefits of Medically Tailored Meals
32% Decline in Healthcare Costs
In a 2013 study, data showed a 28 to 32 % decline in overall healthcare costs among patients receiving complete medical nutrition for six months.
63% Reduction in Hospitalizations
A study published in January 2017, showed a 63% reduction in hospitalizations when complete medical nutrition was provided for six months.
50% Improved Drug Adherence
The same study also showed an improvement of up to 50% in prescription drug adherence among persons with diabetes or HIV/AIDS.
About the Meals
A Ceres Meal Is…
WHOLE — Our meals are delicious and nutrient-rich.
100% ORGANIC, which is healthier—and safer—for your patient, and for our planet.
LOCAL the freshest foods, at their peak
LOW-GLYCEMIC to support healthy blood sugar levels
MADE WITH LOVE by our teen and adult volunteers, because we care!
Adapted with oversight of a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.
Medically Tailored to your patient’s health condition.
Dietary Needs
While we cannot meet every special dietary need, we can accommodate intolerances to wheat/gluten, dairy, nuts, seeds, legumes, soy, grains, eggs and animal proteins such as fish, beef, and poultry. We are not able to serve those with celiac disease or anyone with a severe allergy to a specific food.
Plain & Simple optionFor complicated dietary needs, we offer the Plain & Simple option, which provides plain baked proteins like chicken, turkey and fish, steamed whole grains, steamed vegetables and soups. Please inquire whether this option might be right for your patient.
Sample Menus
Menu 1
Turkey loaf with miso onion gravy, mashed yams, broccoli
Rock cod with orange and ginger, quinoa, sautéed mixed Winter vegetables with seeds
Cauliflower mushroom casserole, beans and green--Pinto version
Cashew tempeh stir fry, rice
Chicken tortilla soup
White bean salad with roasted peppers, beets, and radicchio
Beef chili with kidney beans
Greek salad with Romaine, red onions, Kalamata olives, tomatoes, cucumber, feta cheese, Greek dressing, and garbanzo beans
Menu 2
Spanish-style Chicken, brown rice with olives, lemon broccoli
Moroccan spice rubbed salmon, quinoa pilaf, Mixed Spring Vegetable Sauté
Tortilla, vegetable & cheese casserole, roasted carrots, wilted greens
Pasta primavera with basil pesto and roasted turkey breast, fresh zucchini with sweet peppers and herbs
Grass-fed beef meatball and mushroom stroganoff
Wild mushroom bisque
Black bean and roasted sweet potato salad
Salad bowl with baby spinach, carrots, brown rice, kidney beans, hard-boiled Egg and miso-tahini lemon dressing
Menu 3 (Plain & Simple Option)
3 servings of plain baked fish
3 servings of plain baked poultry
2 quart of steamed or roasted veggies
1 ½ quart of plain grains
1 pint of soup
Meal Standards
We follow rigorous nutrition standards set by leading health professionals. Our ingredients follow our food philosophy. All ingredients are organic because it's healthiest for your patient, the farmer who grows the food, and the planet. Learn more on our Meal Standards page.
Questions?
Contact us at clientcareteam@ceresproject.org or (707) 829-5833 Ext. 201.