Healthy Meals for Kids in Hawthorne USDA approved

Nestled within the heart of Hawthorne, Launch Pad Learning proudly stands as a rare USDA-certified preschool within the South Los Angeles region. We are committed to offering our little students nourishing meals, which is a fundamental component of our educational offerings. Recognizing the pivotal role of nutrition in developing healthy minds and bodies, our learning programs are infused with lessons on adopting a wholesome lifestyle. Each day, we serve a nutritious breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack, fully integrated into our standard educational package.

Following the rigorous standards set by the USDA School Lunch Program, we can confidently provide for the complete nutritional requirements of our young students. At Launch Pad, we take delight in guiding our young learners on fabulous culinary journeys, introducing them to a diverse range of foods and flavors, and cultivating their taste preferences from their formative years.

Catering to a diverse community that includes families from areas like Lawndale, Gardena, Inglewood, and El Camino Village, our priority at Launch Pad Learning is to ensure our students have access to continuous nourishment. Our inclusive breakfast, lunch, and snack routines are a staple of the school day.

We are mindful of individual needs such as allergies or dietary restrictions based on religious beliefs, and offer suitable substitutes. When necessary, we welcome parents to supply their children with homemade meals that comply with such specific requirements.

Breakfast: 8:00am – 8:30am

Breakfast is not served after 8:00am and children arriving after that hour should have been served breakfast prior to being dropped off.

Lunch: 11:45am – 12:00pm (Hours vary)

Lunch is a well-balanced hot meal delivered right from our kitchen. Any time a child needs to arrive at the Center after 10:00am, parents should notify the Center so they may be added to the lunch count. Parents should feed their children if they will be arriving after their class has eaten lunch.

Afternoon Snack: 3:00pm – 3:30pm

The Center will supply meals and snacks of quantity and quality to supplement food served at home, so that the daily nutritional needs of the child are met. Meal time is a vital part of the curriculum and is designed with nutritional and social needs of children in mind. Children are encouraged to serve and feed themselves whenever possible. Staff is present to assist the children, as well as to model appropriate behavior for meal times.

Evening Snack: 5:30pm

If your child is present late in the day, parents are encouraged to send a snack to eat at 5:30 pm. If your child will not be picked up until much later, pack a more substantial meal for the child to eat at that time.

WE ARE A PEANUT FREE FACILITY. Our meals are planned around food children generally like and they are encouraged to try a variety of new foods. We follow the USDA Meal Pattern Requirements for all meals, which ensure that the food we serve meets your child’s nutritional requirements. Portions are served according to the child’s age.

Food is prepared, served, and stored in accordance with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Child and Adult Food Program (CACFP) guidelines. For special occasions such as birthday parties (allergy policies must be followed precisely), goodies are welcome when coordinated with the classroom teacher. If your child is allergic to any items, please make a notation on the application and medical forms and make staff aware of the situation. We provide vegetarian alternatives and allergy modifications for most menu items. 

Parents may also provide suitable substitutes for the items that their child cannot eat from the menu. Please help us monitor your child’s safety by reviewing the posted menu for appropriateness for your child. Lunch and snack foods brought from home must meet the guidelines of the Child and Adult Care Food Program for the types of foods and portion sizes.

They must be prepared and transported in a sanitary fashion, including maintenance of safe food temperatures for perishable items and must not need refrigeration.

Food brought from home will be labeled with the child’s name, the date, and the type of food. Leftover food will be discarded. The only food that may be returned to the family is food that does not require refrigeration or holding at a hot temperature, that came to the facility in a commercially-wrapped package, and that was never opened. See our Allergy Policy for more information. Book a tour today to see our learning center today.