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Plant-Powered School Meals Cohort

Apply to join the Plant-Powered School Meals Cohort - a paid learning opportunity for school nutrition professionals who want to bring more delicious, nutritious, and operationally realistic plant-powered meals into K–12 cafeterias. Over the course of one school year, the cohort provides tailored, hands-on support to help schools successfully pilot, scale, and sustain plant-powered menu options that students actually enjoy. At its core, the Plant-Powered School Meals Cohort is about meeting schools where they are - supporting manageable change, celebrating wins, and building confidence as districts expand access to plant-powered meals that nourish students and the planet.

You'll Receive

Before You Apply

Our Plant-Powered School Meal Cohort is designed for school food service leaders who are ready to take meaningful, measurable steps toward healthier, more sustainable menus. If that sounds like you, here’s what to expect:

  • You’re a School Food Service Leader

    • This cohort is built for current school food service professionals with decision-making authority over menus in your district, school, or program. You’re motivated to strengthen student health, increase fiber-rich and plant-forward offerings, and thoughtfully consider the environmental impact of school meals. If you’re in a position to test, adjust, and implement menu changes, you’re in the right place.

  • You’ll be Actively Engaged

    • This is a hands-on, supportive learning experience. From June through August, you’ll be invited to attend three live webinars (or watch the recordings on your own schedule and engage in the discussion boards) and complete three companion training modules. During the 2026-2027 school year, you'll meet quarterly with the Balanced team for tailored 1:1 support.

    • You’ll also connect with fellow cohort members through discussion boards to share wins, challenges, and practical insights. The more you engage, the more value you’ll gain.

  • You’ll Conduct Student Taste Tests

    • ​Each quarter of the 2026–2027 school year, you’ll select from 2–3 recipes to pilot with your students. We’ll provide product samples, marketing materials, feedback tools, and step-by-step guidance so you can run smooth, successful taste tests that generate meaningful input and excitement.

  • You’ll Share Data to Drive Impact

    • ​To help us measure progress and strengthen the field, you’ll share menus, participation data, and relevant documentation connected to your plant-powered efforts. This information allows us to track outcomes, learn together, and demonstrate what works in real school settings.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who should apply?
Current school food service directors, nutrition directors, and executive chefs at K-12 public or private institutions in the United States.
Is there a cost to participate?
All of the services and materials provided will be at NO COST TO YOU. For your participation, you will receive $5,000 to support your plant-powered initiative.
How many participants are selected?
We are aiming to have ~10 food service directors in our 2026-2027 cohort, but will consider accommodating more participants on a case-by-case basis.
Where does the cohort take place?
The cohort program is 100% virtual and participation is primarily asynchronous. We will utilize the Circle e-course platform for trainings, discussions, and surveys. There will be four webinars taking place on Zoom, and recordings will be shared for those who are unable to attend live. Quarterly 1:1 check-in meetings (4 total) to provide tailored support and feedback for your plant-powered initiative will take place via Zoom. However, if you would like a Balanced team member to visit your district in order to provide direct support for a training or event or to speak at a PD day, we are more than happy to do so.
Do I need to have experience serving plant-based meals?
All experience levels are welcome! Whether you have several plant-based meals on your menus, or have no idea where to get started, we can help you identify opportunities for menu change, establish goals, and provide personalized support for your plant-powered initiative.
Plant Powered Application
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