Shaping Early Palates

Learning Care Group

2019 Progress Report

Year Committed: 2017

Length of Commitment: 3 years

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Committed to developing physical activity and gardening curriculums to further encourage outdoor and indoor play. As well as phasing out less healthy snacks and food from its menu.

Verified Results

Implementation Date
May 2020
Reporting Date
November 2019

Commitment Element
Develop a Physical Activity curriculum that expands upon the existing program to further provide Center Directors and teachers a module of guided activities and/or classes for indoor and outdoor play.
Progress To Date

LCG has submitted documentation illustrating the five physical activity programs that have been developed since 2017. Each of these programs includes teacher guidance, experiences, and activities for children, as well as strategies for classroom implementation.
Implementation Date
May 2021
Reporting Date
November 2019

Commitment Element
Remove all grain-based desserts from the Grow Fit Menu.
Progress To Date

All grain-based desserts have been removed from the Grow Fit menu.
Implementation Date
May 2021
Reporting Date
November 2019

Commitment Element
Ensure all grains offered are whole grains by eliminating or replacing the last of existing non-whole grain items.
Progress To Date

Learning Care Group has been able to source new whole-grain products for the remaining non-whole grain items, and eliminated any non-whole grain options when a whole grain alternative was not available.
Implementation Date
May 2021
Reporting Date
November 2019

Commitment Element
Ensure garden offerings include vegetables and herbs that could potentially be utilized by Center cooks in meals.
Progress To Date

Learning Care Group has eight types of seeds for herbs and vegetables available from their internal shopping website. These include Cilantro, Seet Basil, Oregano, Beefsteak Tomatoes, Sweet Bell Peppers, Slicing Cucumbers, and Bush Green Beans. Dwarf Sunflower Seeds are also available. They also provided recipe books for two menu cycles - Winter 19-20 and Summer 20. The Winter book included 21 recipes that used herbs from the garden (oregano, basil, cilantro).

Partner Statement

At every Learning Care Group (LCG) school, the company continues to deliver on its commitment to prioritize nutrition and fitness through Grow Fit, its comprehensive healthy lifestyle initiative. Created by a registered dietician nutritionist, the Grow Fit menu now offers over 50 fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, more than 30 multi-cultural offerings, and nearly 40 whole grain options. Having already eliminated all fried foods and juice from the Grow Fit menu, LCG is now in the final stages of converting the remaining non-whole grain offerings to whole grain. The company has now eliminated all grain-based desserts from the menu, further reducing consumption of sugar, sodium and saturated fats. As LCG continues to implement new best practices for fitness and nutrition, its advancements also are driving positive changes among other early education providers. The company has worked closely with its vendors to introduce healthier versions of child favorites such as chicken nuggets, cheese ravioli and granola – new product offerings now also served by other childcare providers. The latest nutritious new menu items to emerge from LCG’s innovative thinking are berry whole-grain animal crackers, a seasoned roasted potato, and a whole grain stuffing mix. We have also introduced Overnight Oats recipes for our schools as well as the families we serve. Physical activity is an essential part of every school day throughout LCG. The company is further augmenting its physical fitness curriculum with new guided activities for indoor and outdoor play. This year, the company’s Grow Fit Yoga program, which was initially available for Preschool and Pre-K students, has now been expanded to younger age groups. Nearly 200 schools now include garden programs, part of the company’s current PHA commitment. In addition, across our whole portfolio of schools, we have implemented a seed program that aligns with our Grow Fit recipe book. This enables schools to utilize what they grow in the meals we serve. The company continues to work with the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity.