Life Balance Initiative

What is Life Balance Initiative?

Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools (GTACS) recognizes that there is a link between nutrition education, food served in schools, physical activity, and environmental education. We also recognize the connection between diet and a student’s ability to learn effectively and achieve high standards in school. 

Years ago, GTACS took a strong stance on the importance of serving the needs of the whole child, including careful selection of the food we serve. The resulting program, Life Balance Initiative, promotes healthy living including good nutrition, physical activity and a balanced lifestyle:

• Meal selections are nutritious and fresh, with limited processed foods, trans fats and refined sugar. We also provide hormone-free milk and lactose-free beverage selections.
   
• Local, fresh ingredients are an integral part of the meals at GTACS. The Farm to School Program allows our students to benefit first-hand from living in an area blessed with abundant agricultural resources and growers/producers dedicated to the safety and the environment.

• Food preparation is done in a commercial-level kitchen at St. Francis High School. After it's prepared each morning, the food is distributed to Immaculate Conception and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. Kitchen staff members at each school readies and serves the lunch.
   
• The Life Balance Initiative has resulted in better stewardship of the environment, with greater emphasis on recycling, reduction of waste and composting.
   
• Our lunch program and snack and wellness programs were developed by Dining Services Director, Chef Michael Bauer and the Schools' Wellness Committee.  Today, dining services at GTACS has become a model for other schools that share our dedication to excellence in every facet of education.

Affordable, Enticing and Nutritious

When presented with an array of healthy menu choices -- item that are colorful, flavorful and varied -- students naturally learn to love great food. They develop a "taste for" baked or roasted vegetables, fresh fruit, whole grains and savory soups.

For information about...

• Meal prices
• Methods of funding a child's lunch account including online payment
• A la carte item pricing
• Free or reduced price lunch program

Click on the link below:

Dining Services Information and Meal Prices

LBI Newsletter, December 2011

As Christ did ...

GTACS recognize that the sharing and enjoyment of food and participation in physical activities are fundamental experiences for all people and are a primary way to nurture and celebrate our cultural diversity. These fundamental human experiences are vital bridges for building friendships, forming inter-generational bonds, strengthening communities and learning about our spiritual life. It is no coincidence that Christ gives Himself to us in the form of a sacred banquet. The banquet is where we learn to love Him and each other.