How it Works & FAQ

How it Works

The barcode on the back of your student ID is scanned and identifies your account when you make a purchase.

Meals

Meals are included in five of the six meal plans. You can use a Meal for all-you-care-to-eat dining at Fresh Food Co. and The Dish and/or to purchase Meal Combos (predetermined meal items) at various locations. One Meal will be subtracted from your account. You can use up to 4 meals per day using a weekly Meal Plan (exception: Unlimited Plan).  If you have a semester plan, you can use Meals at your discretion.

Dining Dollars

All Plans include Dining Dollars to use in Laker Food Co. restaurants, coffee shops and C-Stores. Purchase beverages, snacks, or meals with Dining Dollars. It's like a debit card; each time a purchase is made, the amount is subtracted from your account. You can add Dining Dollars throughout the semester.


Which Plan to Choose

Visit our Choosing a Plan guide for more detailed Plan breakdowns based on where you live.

Choose Unlimited, 14+, or 7+ 

  • Traditional Style Living Centers* (Copeland, Kistler, Robinson)
  • Suite Style Living Centers* (DeVos, Kirkpatrick, Maple, Oak, Pew, Pickard, Pine, Seidman, Stafford, Swanson)
  • Cluster Style Living Center* (Holton-Hooker)

*Students in these living areas are required to select a Meal Plan and will automatically receive a 14+ plan as part of their Housing contract.

Choose any Plan except Express or Casual+

  • Apartment Style Living Centers* (Frey, Hills, Hoobler, Johnson, Ott, North C, Weed)

Students in these living areas may choose any plan except the Express or Casual Plan.

Choose any Plan

  • On-Campus Apartments (Calder Art Residence, Grand Valley Apartments, Laker Village, Murray, Niemeyer East & West, Secchia, South C/D/E, VanSteeland, Winter Hall)
  • Off-Campus and Commuter Students

Frequently Asked Questions

Meal Plans activate on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. Classes start on Monday, August 28, 2023.

Yes! You can change your Fall Meal Plan beginning Tuesday, June 8, 2023 through the first week of Fall classes, Friday, September 1, 2023 at 5pm. During the change period, look for the Meal Plan Change Form on our website under Meal Plans. Winter semester Meal Plans can be changed December 2023 through the first Friday of classes in January 2024.

Unused Dining Dollars transfer from Fall to Winter semester. Be sure to use them by the end of Winter semester. Any unused dollars are non-refundable and cannot be transferred to the new academic year.

Casual+ Meals are per semester and will roll to Winter semester. The Unlimited, 14+, 7+, and 5+ plans are per week and do not roll over to the next week.

Add to your account using check, money order, or credit card. You can add more Dining Dollars online. Check your balance online (you must first link your account with Campus Dish), by using the GV Mobile App or by asking the cashier for a receipt (your balance will be printed at the bottom).

Starbucks is the only national brand on campus that accepts gift cards. The best thing for family and friends to do is buy a Laker Food Co. gift card. Students have the freedom to use those gift cards at all Laker Food Co. locations, including national brands. Laker Food Co. gift cards may be purchased online at campusdish.com, via telephone at (616) 331-3016, or in the Laker Food Co. office.

YES, if you live in:

  • Traditional: Copeland, Kistler, Robinson, Holton-Hooker
  • Suite Style: DeVos, Kirkpatrick, Maple, Oak, Pew, Pickard, Pine, Seidman, Stafford, Swanson
  • Apartment Style: Frey, Hills, Hoobler, Johnson, Ott, North C, Weed

NO,  if you live in: 

  • On-Campus Apartment: Calder Art Residence, Grand Valley Apartments, Laker Village, Murray, Niemeyer East & West, Secchia, South C/D/E, VanSteeland, Winter Hall
  • Off-Campus and Commuter Students

Meal plans can be used at any Laker Food Co. locations on the Allendale and Pew campuses.

If you have additional questions, please call (616) 331-3016, or email [email protected].

  1. Come to the Laker Food Co. Office as soon as possible.
  2. We will deactivate your current Meal Plan account and transfer your account to a temporary access card. 
  3. We will issue a temporary access card good for 1 week that can be used to access your Meals and Dining Dollars.
  4.  If you find your I.D. within the weeks time, bring your Student I.D. back to the Laker Food Co. Office and we will transfer your meal plan account back on to your original student I.D.
  5.  If you do not find your Student I.D. before the 1 week time period, you will be required to purchase a new one at Student Services and then update your new barcode with us.

Every Saturday night at midnight.


GVSU Laker Food Co. Terms & Conditions

All funds and plans purchased for use in GVSU Laker Food Co. are for the personal use of the owner of the account or plan only and are non-transferable.

The Dining Dollar funds and Meal Plans cannot be used as a gift card or gift certificate.

Except as otherwise expressly stated in these terms, all Dining Dollar funds and meal plans are non-refundable and will expire at the earlier of the last day of enrollment or employment, as applicable, or the last day of the current semester.

Meal Plans and Dining Dollar funds are non-refundable. Unused Meal Plans and Dining Dollar balances expire on the last date of enrollment or employment and last day of the Winter Semester.



Page last modified August 1, 2022