Luv Michael and Friends Cut Ribbon on New Tribeca NYC Headquarters, Expanding Autism-to-Work Program

New York, NY – Surrounded by family, friends, special educators, supporters, and New York Lawmakers, granola snack-maker and employer of autistic adults, Luv Michael Co. opened their flagship commercial kitchen and learning center in the heart of New York’s Tribeca neighborhood.

Founders Dr. Lisa Liberatore and husband, Dr. Dimitri Kessaris, parents of Michael, the company’s namesake, welcomed all who helped develop the thriving granola company, now in its fourth year in business. The 3,000 square-foot, state of the art commercial space is outfitted as both a comprehensive learning and training center as well as high capacity commercial kitchen where young adults with autism will train for the New York State food handler’s license and produce the company’s product – organic, all-natural and gluten-free granola in both originola and mocha flavors.

“We’re so proud to finally open this space,” says founder Dr. Lisa Liberatore. “We’ve all worked so hard to get this right. And the granologists with their incredible abilities, their progress and achievements have inspired us the entire way. How could we not do our best to try to build something to match that?”

Doctors Liberatore and Kessaris honored contributors of special mention which including Ariel Akselrad Loeberman, M. Ed., Rebeca Brau, Michael Caron of The TLM Group, Nancy D’Agostino, Michael M. Goldberg, Esq, Kathrine Gregory of the Entrepreneur Space, Roslyn Haber, Ed.D., Beth Mart of Saatchi and Saatchi Wellness, Chef Maria Loi, Dana Offenbach of Cinema Street, Suzanne Reek, Executive Director of Nassau-Suffolk Autism Society, George Tenedios of Fresh and Co., New York Assemblywoman Michaelle C. Solages, John Chiodi of Empire Consulting, The Bosco Family, Frank Nista, Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Shrine Church, Anthony & Vasso Lazanas, Fergus Linskey and David Williams of Levo Health and Timothy Hurley of Cahill Strategies.

Currently, Luv Michael Co. employs 10 ‘granologists’ that provide fresh granola to Starbucks, Fresh & Co, D’Agostino Supermarkets, Gristedes Neighborhood Grocers, Wild by Nature, totaling over 60 retailers in the greater New York City area. A replication expansion project at the Greek Orthodox Church of The Hamptons, employs 10 more. Luv Michael Co. was also the proud winners of a competition for non-profit food companies-sponsored by JetBlue-and was awarded the opportunity to have their all-natural, locally sourced, granola product distributed on U.S domestic JetBlue flights. With the addition of this new commercial kitchen, Luv Michael Co. will soon be able to meet JetBlue’s production requirements and the ever-growing demand for healthy, all-natural products.

Luv Michael granola can also be purchased here. Money-saving subscription plans are also available.