Creating Healthier Places

Grand Valley State University

2018 Progress Report

Year Committed: 2016

Length of Commitment: 3 years

Select a Progress Report:

View Partner

Committed to meet 23 guidelines—developed by PHA in collaboration with some of the nation’s leading nutrition, physical activity and campus wellness experts—around nutrition, physical activity, and programming on campus.

Verified Results

Implementation Date
April 2019
Reporting Date
June 2018

Commitment Element
Offer a healthier catering menu that only includes foods and beverages that meet healthier food and nutrition guidelines.
Progress To Date

Grand Valley State University Campus Dining offers a healthy catering menu that only includes food and beverages that meet PHA's Healthier Campus Initiative Catering Criteria. All food items meet standards for saturated fat, trans fat, added sugar and sodium. All beverages are lower in calories and added sugar and milk offered is low-fat or non-fat. A variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meats are available and no foods are fried.

Partner Statement

“Grand Valley State University is proud to have implemented and met all 23 selected PHA guidelines around nutrition, physical activity, and programming on campus. These guidelines were developed by PHA in collaboration with some of the nation’s leading nutrition, physical activity and campus wellness experts. New this year, GVSU implemented its strategic product placement and merchandising program in selected dining venues, a healthier catering menu, and a new agreement with dining services ensuring the offering of fruits and vegetables and whole grain products at lunch and dinner. The university is in process of ordering and installing a new outdoor fitness system, which will be open and available for use by students, faculty and staff in summer 2019. The university also has implemented routine Wellness Fairs each semester, highlighting campus services and resources on the Allendale and Pew Grand Rapids campuses. Because of the work with PHA and focus on the health and well-being at the university, GVSU is a finalist of the Michigan Governor’s Fitness Awards in the “very large category” for 2019.”