Learning Care Group

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. Learning Care Group has eliminated all fried foods and juice from the Grow Fit menu and fully transitioned all grain offerings to whole grain, with the latest new whole grain option being the whole grain Alphabet Cracker. LCG also has eliminated all grain-based desserts from the menu, further reducing consumption of sugar, sodium, and saturated fats. As the company continues to implement new best practices for fitness and nutrition, its advancements also are driving positive changes among other early education and child care providers. Learning Care Group has worked closely with its vendors to introduce healthier versions of child favorites such as chicken nuggets and patties, cheese ravioli and granola. LCG’s Grow Fit Recipe Book now features more than 80 standardized recipes, including palate-expanding new offerings such as Surprise Tofu Pasta, Chicken and Cheese Burritos, and Turkey Taco Potato Skins. In keeping with its support of the PHA’s Veggies Early and Often campaign, LCG also continue to share its Grow Fit recipes with families. Veggie-forward recipes include Somali Chickpeas, Ginger Carrots, and Greek Baked Lima Beans. Physical activity is an essential part of every school day throughout LCG, with a physical fitness curriculum that includes a host of guided activities for indoor and outdoor play. LCG’s Grow Fit Yoga program continues to be a hit. Its Grow Fit Garden program continues to evolve, with an enhanced gardening curriculum and additional resources for indoor and outdoor gardening activities. Across its portfolio of schools, LCG has implemented a seed program that aligns with its Grow Fit recipe book. This enables schools to utilize what they grow in the meals that are served. The company continues to explore ways to include school-grown vegetables and herbs as new recipes are developed.