LIC-based nonprofi t that employs adults
with autism unveils new commercial kitchen
BY JENNA BAGCAL
A Long Island City-based
granola company that employs
individuals with autism
is expanding its reach
into Manhattan.
On Thursday, Oct. 24, Luv
Michael Co. will celebrate
the grand opening of its new
commercial kitchen in Tribeca.
Bayside resident, founder
and president Dr. Lisa Libertore
started the nonprofit in
2015 after noticing a lack of
resources to prepare her son,
whom Luv Michael is named
after, and others with autism
for real-world jobs.
From 6 to 8 p.m., visitors
are welcome to tour the 3,000
square foot Luv Michael
Kitchen and Learning Center
at 42 Walker St.
“This grand opening event
will include refreshments
served, a tour of the facility
and a special presentation on
Luv Michael’s achievements
and the new and exciting
milestones yet to come. We
encourage all interested in
special needs innovation to
come join us,” said Liberatore.
According to the nonprofit,
Luv Michael “granologists”
will work and train
five days a week in the new
state-of-the-art commercial
space until they are full
prepared to take part in the
manufacturing process. Autism
education and culinary
specialists developed Luv
Micahel’s five-point curriculum,
which is based, in part,
on the New York state food
handler’s license exam.
The training process not
only allows individuals to
work at Luv Michael but also
to gain the skills and confidence
to become employed
elsewhere in the future.
“Luv Michael Co. was never
designed to be a charity or
provide young autistic adults
with ‘something to do,'” Libertore
said.
Instead, Luv Michael’s
mission has always been to
“provide a meaningful culinary
vocation for the autistic
population and to produce
exceptional gluten-free and
natural products.”
Granologists work to make Luv Michael’s healthy, all natural granola. Photos courtesy of Luv Michael Co. and Gus Butera
When QNS spoke with Libertore
back in March, she
said that those with autism
are often obese due to a lack
of exercise and using food as
positive reinforcement, so
she chose granola in order
to encourage those with autism
to pursue a healthier
lifestyle.
Luv Michael currently
employs 20 granologists who
engage in food-centric classroom
lessons and learn the
12-step lesson to make granola.
Each bag is packaged and
sold in more than 60 stores
in the greater New York City
area including Starbucks,
Fresh & Co, D’Agostino Supermarkets,
Gristedes Neighborhood
Grocers and Wild by
Nature.
The nonprofit is also replicating
its expansion project
at the Greek Orthodox
Church of The Hamptons.
In 2017, Luv Michael was
the winner of a JetBluesponsored
competition for
nonprofit food companies
and earned the opportunity
Luv Michael granologists work and train five days a week.
to have its granola distributed
on U.S. domestic JetBlue
flights.
To RSVP to the grand opening,
contact Robert Paul by phone
at 631-770-3840 or by email at
rpaul@cahillstrategies.com.
To learn more about
speaking engagements and
employment opportunities,
visit the Luv Michael website.
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