Nestled in the heart of Philadelphia’s Mantua community, The Caring Center is more than an early childhood learning institution. They are a team of parents and professional educators, working together to deliver exemplary early childhood education, promote family and community development, and create an inclusive culture of love and learning that fosters their children’s healthy, holistic development. It is a place where young children cultivate values, curiosity, and healthy eating habits—all beginning with the food on their plates.

In partnership with the National Farm to School Network, they’ve adopted the farm-to-early-care model to promote healthy eating habits and positive family engagement during this critical stage of child development. Each day, the children enjoy an AM snack, a nutritious lunch, and a PM snack. Beyond these meals, they experience the joy and empowerment of cooking classes, where the little ones learn to prepare different recipes themselves.

Their commitment to holistic nutrition and learning is supported by the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), a federal initiative that provides reimbursements for nutritious meals and snacks at participating childcare centers. Through this program, over 4.2 million children and 138,000 adults across the nation benefit from consistent, healthy meals. 

Thanks to The Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program, administered by the USDA, they have expanded their offerings to include more fruits and vegetables year-round. The National Farm to School Network champions initiatives like theirs, helping early childcare centers serve locally grown foods that enrich their students and the surrounding community.

Community is at the heart of their efforts. Volunteers from Mantua regularly join to weed and plant in the garden, fostering an environment of growth, learning, and togetherness. This hands-on engagement extends to the students, who witness the entire food cycle—from planting seeds to harvesting crops—providing them with autonomy and a deeper understanding of the food they eat. They learn not just to cook but to care, to question, and to feel connected to the earth and their community.

The Caring Center cultivates more than healthy meals; they are nurturing a generation of mindful growers and compassionate community members, one meal, one garden, and one little chef at a time.

To learn more about their work, check out this video created by the National Farm to School Network, and their website.