At Balanced, we believe partnerships with schools are the key to transforming student health through better nutrition. Across the country, we’ve worked with food service teams, school administrators, and community advocates to bring nutrient-dense, balanced meals to students. Today, we’re highlighting several success stories, including our groundbreaking Illinois Pilot program, which showcases how collaboration can make a profound difference in the lives of students.
Case Study: Illinois Pilot Program
The Illinois Pilot program is a shining example of how partnerships can revamp school meals for the better. This initiative began in the summer of 2023 when the state of Illinois passed a bill stating that plant-based meals must be served upon prior request. Balanced saw an opportunity to offer grants to schools to add more plant-based meals to their menus. The grant provided more than just funding; it also included comprehensive support through our Institutional Support Program. This included step-by-step guidance to help you get started, marketing materials like posters, stickers, and t-shirts, personalized training, vendor connections, and, most importantly, ongoing support.
Before, school menus heavily featured processed foods like chicken nuggets and pizza. Now, thanks to our partnership, students enjoy a range of nutrient-dense options such as lentil meatloaf, plant-based spaghetti sauce, and taco filling, made with fiber-rich legumes and beans. The impact on student health has been significant. Not only are students consuming more nutritious meals, but the rates of absenteeism and poor concentration have noticeably decreased.
As a partner with the Plant-Based School Lunch Collaborative, we worked closely with the district’s food service managers. Our collaboration empowered the staff to serve meals that aren’t just filling but genuinely beneficial for the kids’ long-term health. I’ve seen the excitement grow as students embrace these new menu options. My support and guidance and the school’s dedication to nutrition were crucial in making this shift successful.
Other Success Stories
All 4 of the pilot schools we worked with in Illinois in the spring, committed to continue to serve at least one plant-based meal a week. With just this minimal change that equals roughly 250,000 meals.
Expanding Options, Happier Students
One of the most exciting outcomes of these partnerships is the positive impact on student health and engagement. At a school Balanced worked with in Waukegan Illinois, teachers report that students are more focused in class and energized throughout the day. The food service manager and chef, Michelle Covin, noticed how quickly students adapted to the new menu.
“Student response is great. We did the plant-based hot dog, with or without plant-based chili", said Lillie Lillie the Food Service Director at Darien District 61 in Darien IL.
The Path Forward
The success of these programs proves that change is possible with the right partnerships. Balanced is continuing to expand its reach, offering resources like the Balanced Lunch Tray to schools across the U.S. By prioritizing nutrient-dense, fiber-rich, and plant-forward meals, schools can enhance the nutritional quality of their offerings, provide more diverse meal options, and boost student participation by accommodating a wide range of dietary needs.
As more schools partner with Balanced, we look forward to even more success stories, proving that when we invest in our children’s nutrition, we invest in their future.
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