Student Care

Meal Plans

• Lower Meal Plan rates than other Michigan universities/colleges
  • Over $800 less per semester than average Michigan meal plan costs
  • See the cost comparison chart 
• 10 Meal Plan options ranging in price from $200 - $1,875/semester (‘20/’21)
  • See meal plan options
• Cost of contracted dining vs. becoming GVSU self-operated dining
  • See cost impact on students

Financial Assistance for Food

• Food Funding via Financial Aid 
  • Students with financial hardships can request aid specific to food purchasing on campus
• Student Employee meal benefit
  • In addition to hourly wages, Laker Food Co. student employees earn 1 meal for every 4 hours worked 
  • Learn more about student employee benefits

Laker Meal Share

• Initially part of Swipe Out Hunger
• Ability for students to donate meals to fellow Lakers
• Learn more about the Laker Meal Share Program
• Collaborative program with Dean of Students Office

Unused Portions

• Unused Portions collaboration with Replenish, GVSU's student food pantry
• Unused portions from catered events individually packaged and given to Replenish for distribution

GVSU Endowed Scholarships

• Funded endowment that provides 2 annual GVSU scholarships, est. 2012
• Campus Dining – Aramark Pathway Endowed Scholarship, amount varies 
• Campus Dining – Aramark Student Excellence Scholarship, up to $1,500 

Annual $10k Donation Fund

• Supporting student organizations and departmental efforts

Registered Dietitian

• Free consultations for students 
• Meet the Laker Food Co. Registered Dietitian 
• Nutrition programing, cooking demos, workshops and giveaways

Vegan & Vegetarian

• See the Vegan/Vegetarian Guide
• Percentage of vegan/vegetarian meal options:  38%

Made without Gluten

• See made without gluten options on campus 

Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA)

• Collaborative, 3-year commitment with numerous GVSU departments  
• Initiated in 2016 and met all requirements by program deadline
• See PHA accomplishments
• Nutrition programing, cooking demos, workshops and giveaways

Allergen Management

• See the Quick Guide
• View the Food Allergen Guide
• Ingredient and nutritional information available at dining locations 
• Online ingredient information (Fresh Food Center Plate & Green Plate) 
• Allergen station available inside Kleiner Market and inside Fresh Food  
  • Self-serve allergen station stocked with specialty products 
  • Separate utensils, cutting boards, microwave, toaster, waffle iron (Fresh Food)
  • Individually packaged food products to reduce cross-contact 

• Voice of the Consumer (VOC) daily feedback system 
  • Real time, mobile feedback platform that sends email to manager of the location
  • Give Fresh Food Co. your feedback
  • See February - March 2021 VOC stats
• Food Committee
  • Open to all students, meets every 3 weeks during Fall and Winter semester
• Annual Dining Styles Survey
  • Online survey open to the entire campus community (students, faculty, staff, administration)
  • See 2019 Dining Style Results 
• Email Laker Food Co. at [email protected]
• Social Media: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook
• Social Media Polls
• Fresh Food Co. Street Team
  • A group of student employees that educate GVSU students about Laker Food Co. initiatives.  

Sourcing

• Over 30% local spend
• Use of local food distributor since 2014, Gordon Foods, headquartered in Grand Rapids
• Use of local dairy since 2010, Cedar Crest Dairy in Hudsonville, MI
• Partnership with GVSU's Sustainable Agriculture Project (SAP) 
  • In 2008 Campus Dining donated $5,000 toward construction of the initial hoop houses at the SAP
  • Agreement to purchase produce from SAP since 2014
  • Watch the GVSU Farm to Table process 
• Use of Cage-Free Eggs since 2011
• Use of compostable serviceware including straws and bags since 2009
• Made in Michigan product features 
  • Available at Lobby Shop in Kirkhof, POD Kleiner, POD Connection and Seidman Cafe on Pew Campus
  • Featuring products from: Cherry Bay Orchards, Gourmet Concessions, How Sweet It Is Fudge & Candy Co., The Gluten Free Bar, and Pop Daddy Popcorn
• See the Sustainability Purchasing Map 

Campus Events & Support

• GVSU Farmers Market
  • Host a stand and prepare lunch
  • Cooking demos and giveaways
• GVSU Recyclemania partner (Now Race to Zero Waste) 
  • The Zero Waste college competition focuses on waste reduction and zero waste efforts campus-wide and compares their results to other campuses. Participants track all sources of waste generation in three campus buildings during the eight-week competition.
  • See current results 
• Laker Food Co. Green Team
  • Student team focused on sustainability
  • Weigh the Waste, track compost success, educate peers in regard to waste sorting and ideation development
• Strong working relationship with Facilities Services to manage waste streams

Accolades

• Laker Food Co. staff members recognized as “Sustainability Champions” by GVSU's Office of Sustainability
  • Colin Yonkers - 2019, Aaron Johnson - 2018, Raymond Kusmack - 2016, Darius Leverette - 2015, Ethan McCann - 2010
• Green Restaurant Certification
  • Achieved at Engrained in 2014
  • Qualified for certification renewal every year since receiving the distinction
  • Increased certification audit score from 175 to 183.46 in 2019

• Student Organization Support
  • Reduced cost catering menu for student organizations 
  • Merchandise and financial donations, program collaborations 
• Participation in GVSU Relay for Life
  • 2007 – 2016 generating $90,100 over 10 years
• GVSU's Largest On-Campus Student Employer
• Food donations to Mel Trotter Ministries and Feeding America
• Campus Dining staff members working as GVSU Adjunct Faculty in HTM, Movement Science and Recreation & Wellness
• Support of the GR Veteran’s Home since 2017 with food donations, card writing promotions
• Adopt a Highway (est. 2007)
• Support of Kids Food Basket since 2017
  • Team outreach, purchasing/donating food, creating snack packs/dinner bags and decorating lunch bags
• Participation in the Allendale Chamber of Commerce & Rotary Club
• Participation in the Allendale Fourth of July Parades and Community Celebrations
• Employee Service Projects - canned food drives benefitting Replenish & local food pantries
• Food donations to support displaced Grand Rapids hospitality workers during COVID-19 pandemic

Aramark Resources 

• Learn about IN2WORK, a rehabilitative program
• Sourcing Responsibly
• Green Thread, a corporate sustainability approach
• Be Well. Do Well.