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Choose American Grown Lunch Entree Portrait LED Flashing Portrait Menu Boards
Inside A-Frame Stands with Integrated Rechargeable Batteries
Inside A-Frame Stands with Integrated Rechargeable Batteries
Choose Locally Grown Lunch Entree Portrait LED Flashing Portrait Menu Boards
Inside A-Frame Stands with Integrated Rechargeable Batteries
Inside A-Frame Stands with Integrated Rechargeable Batteries
Choose American Grown Lunch/Breakfast Entree Portrait LED Flashing Portrait Menu Boards
Inside A-Frame Stands with Integrated Rechargeable Batteries
Inside A-Frame Stands with Integrated Rechargeable Batteries
Choose Locally Grown Lunch/Breakfast Entree Portrait LED Flashing Portrait Menu Boards
Inside A-Frame Stands with Integrated Rechargeable Batteries
Inside A-Frame Stands with Integrated Rechargeable Batteries
Choose Locallhy Grown Rolling Wind Lunch/Breakfast Entree Dry Erase School Menu Boards
Choose American Grown Rolling Wind Lunch/Breakfast Entree Dry Erase School Menu Boards
Choose American-Grown or Local Grown Lunch/Breakfast Pyramid1 School Menu Boards
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Choose American-Grown or Local Grown Breakfast/Lunch Love School Menu Boards Landscape
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Choose American-Grown or Local Grown Breakfast/Lunch Love School Menu Boards
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Choose American-Grown or Local Grown Breakfast/Lunch Boxed School Menu Boards
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Choose American-Grown or Local Grown Today's Menu Pyramid2 School Menu Boards
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Choose American-Grown or Local Grown Today's Menu Pyramid3 School Menu Boards
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Choose American-Grown or Local Grown Today's Menu Love2 School Menu Boards
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Choose American-Grown or Local Grown Lunch Smart-Plate School Menu Boards
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Choose American-Grown or Local Grown Breakfast School Menu Boards
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Choose American-Grown or Local Grown Breakfast/Lunch Triangle School Menu Boards
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USDA Announces Harvest to Hallways Initiative to Invest in Child Nutrition Programs
Secretary Rollins and Secretary Kennedy Jointly Unveil New Investments to Bring More Nutrient Dense, Local Food into Schools and Give Cafeterias the Tools to Serve Healthier Meals
(Washington, D.C., August 24, 2026) - Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced sweeping new efforts to strengthen school meals by connecting more American farmers with local schools, investing in school kitchen infrastructure, and giving states and school districts new tools to serve healthier, more nutrient-dense meals to America’s children.
Secretary Kennedy joined Secretary Rollins at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), alongside farmers, students, school nutrition leaders, athletes, chefs, and parents, to announce the next phase of the Trump Administration’s work to Make America Healthy Again.
“If we want to Make America Healthy Again, we have to start with our children, and that means improving what we put on their lunch trays every single day,” said Secretary Brooke L. Rollins. “Harvest to Hallways is about bringing more American agriculture into the school cafeteria. We are connecting schools with the farmers and ranchers in their own communities, investing in the kitchens and equipment school nutrition professionals need to prepare real food, and cutting through barriers that have made it too difficult to serve healthy, American-grown food. When we strengthen the connection between the farm and the lunchroom, everybody wins: our children eat better, our farmers gain new markets, and our communities grow stronger.”
“Every school meal should make a child healthier,” said Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “Under President Trump’s leadership, we are putting the updated Dietary Guidelines into action by bringing real, nutrient-dense food back to school cafeterias and giving schools the tools to serve it affordably. Together with Secretary Rollins, we are building a school food system that supports American farmers and raises healthier American children.”
Harvest to Hallways includes up to $70 million in investments in school cafeteria infrastructure, an effort to expand schools’ use of local food procurement options, and up to $25 million in additional Farm to School Grants for Fiscal Year 2026.
Harvest to Hallways
The initiative includes several actions to improve school meals and strengthen the connection between American agriculture and America’s children:
- Expanding Local Procurement: USDA will launch a major education and outreach campaign around the “Local Option” School Procurement Program, an existing procurement pathway that can allow schools to be reimbursed for purchases of locally produced foods. The Local Option has already been used in Union County, Kentucky, where school districts purchased locally produced beef. USDA will provide dedicated outreach and webinars to help more schools take advantage of the option.
- Investing in School Kitchens: USDA will make a new $50 million investment in school cafeteria infrastructure to help qualifying schools purchase equipment such as cold storage and stoves, improve food safety, and establish, maintain, or expand School Breakfast Programs. The investment builds on recently announced National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grants totaling $20 million. Secretaries Rollins and Kennedy will also work to encourage public-private partnerships to complement USDA’s investment.
- Bringing More Local Food to Schools: USDA is announcing up to $25 million in new, additional Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grants for FY 2026. These investments help schools incorporate locally produced foods into child nutrition programs while creating new market opportunities for American farmers and ranchers. Previous projects include the Pennsylvania Beef Council’s work with 175 local schools to bring locally raised beef to nearly 300,000 students.
- Accelerating Healthier Meals: USDA and HHS will encourage greater state adoption of the Pledge for Healthier School Meals, which encourages updated nutrition practices aligned with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025–2030 that can be implemented immediately.
- Investing in School Meal Nutrition Research: HHS will invest $30 million in research to identify
- practical, cost-effective ways to improve the nutritional quality of school meals and help schools put healthier meals on students’ trays.
Together, these actions advance the Make America Healthy Again agenda by improving the food served to America’s children, strengthening school kitchens, and creating stronger connections between American farmers and the communities they feed. Learn more about the new Harvest to Hallways initiative at
www.usda.gov/harvest-to-hallways.
New American & Locally Grown Menu Boards to Support
USDA’s Newly Announced Healthier Meals Goals
USDA’s Newly Announced Healthier Meals Goals
Green Edge Systems is introducing American-Grown and Locally-Grown school menu boards to help schools support the August 24, 2026 announcement by Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., outlining the next phase of the Administration’s work to Make America Healthy Again.
Our solution makes qualifying fruits and vegetables easy to identify with a simple handwritten checkmark. Staff can add or erase it immediately, without opening software or editing a digital menu.
REVIEW OUR NEW AMERICAN & LOCALLY GROWN MENU BOARDS
Explore our CHOOSE AMERICAN-GROWN! and CHOOSE LOCALLY-GROWN! menu boards, available as LED Flashing, LED Backlit, or Dry Erase boards, with stand-mounted and wall-mounted options.
View the menu boards and sample designs
“Every school meal should make a child healthier” Secretary Kennedy emphasized.
School food services provide nutritious options, but students decide which available foods go on their trays. Achieving that goal therefore depends not only on what schools offer, but also on helping students make informed selections.
A clear menu board placed at the beginning of the serving line provides daily guidance right where students make those decisions.
ONE SIMPLE CHECKMARK. NO SOFTWARE UPDATES.
Small check boxes beside the fruit and vegetable listings let staff identify American- or locally-grown items. When the menu or product source changes, staff simply add or erase a checkmark directly on the board.
For this everyday task, handwritten menu boards offer a practical advantage over digital menu boards:
Our website’s sample graphics show check boxes only beside fruits and vegetables, whose origin school food service teams can readily confirm through supplier information. Upon request, we can add check boxes to any other food group to fit your menu and sourcing practices.
A LASTING MESSAGE. NOT A TEMPORARY CAMPAIGN.
This is the core of our new line.
Every time students read the menu, they see a reminder to recognize American- and locally-grown foods. The goal is to make noticing food origin and supporting farmers a familiar part of everyday school meals.
Schools can use this approach even without operating a formal Farm to School program, by identifying qualifying foods they already serve.
FRESHER CHOICES. STRONGER FARMS. PROUDLY AMERICAN.
What could be more American than supporting American farmers?
Locally sourced fruits and vegetables may have a shorter journey from harvest to cafeteria. When properly handled, shorter storage and transportation times can support freshness, flavor, texture, and retention of certain sensitive nutrients. These benefits depend on harvesting and handling, not origin alone.
Giving fruits and vegetables greater visibility may encourage students to notice and try them. Appealing, clearly presented choices may also help build interest in school meals and support participation.
NEW USDA SUPPORT AND FUNDING
The August 24 announcement outlined the next phase of the Trump Administration’s Make America Healthy Again effort, with stronger connections between American agriculture and school meals.
It includes:
Schools exploring funding opportunities can ask their grant administrator whether menu boards may qualify as an educational, promotional, or food-origin communication expense within an eligible project. Eligibility and approval depend on the specific grant.
CUSTOMIZED FOR YOUR CAFETERIA
Many of our existing menu board designs can be customized with your selected header and matching check boxes.
Our solution makes qualifying fruits and vegetables easy to identify with a simple handwritten checkmark. Staff can add or erase it immediately, without opening software or editing a digital menu.
REVIEW OUR NEW AMERICAN & LOCALLY GROWN MENU BOARDS
Explore our CHOOSE AMERICAN-GROWN! and CHOOSE LOCALLY-GROWN! menu boards, available as LED Flashing, LED Backlit, or Dry Erase boards, with stand-mounted and wall-mounted options.
View the menu boards and sample designs
“Every school meal should make a child healthier” Secretary Kennedy emphasized.
School food services provide nutritious options, but students decide which available foods go on their trays. Achieving that goal therefore depends not only on what schools offer, but also on helping students make informed selections.
A clear menu board placed at the beginning of the serving line provides daily guidance right where students make those decisions.
ONE SIMPLE CHECKMARK. NO SOFTWARE UPDATES.
Small check boxes beside the fruit and vegetable listings let staff identify American- or locally-grown items. When the menu or product source changes, staff simply add or erase a checkmark directly on the board.
For this everyday task, handwritten menu boards offer a practical advantage over digital menu boards:
- No software to open
- No screen layout to edit
- No updated content to publish
- No network connection or subscription required
- CHOOSE AMERICAN-GROWN!
- CHOOSE LOCALLY-GROWN!
- Or send us your own suggested header for free customization
Our website’s sample graphics show check boxes only beside fruits and vegetables, whose origin school food service teams can readily confirm through supplier information. Upon request, we can add check boxes to any other food group to fit your menu and sourcing practices.
A LASTING MESSAGE. NOT A TEMPORARY CAMPAIGN.
This is the core of our new line.
Every time students read the menu, they see a reminder to recognize American- and locally-grown foods. The goal is to make noticing food origin and supporting farmers a familiar part of everyday school meals.
Schools can use this approach even without operating a formal Farm to School program, by identifying qualifying foods they already serve.
FRESHER CHOICES. STRONGER FARMS. PROUDLY AMERICAN.
What could be more American than supporting American farmers?
Locally sourced fruits and vegetables may have a shorter journey from harvest to cafeteria. When properly handled, shorter storage and transportation times can support freshness, flavor, texture, and retention of certain sensitive nutrients. These benefits depend on harvesting and handling, not origin alone.
Giving fruits and vegetables greater visibility may encourage students to notice and try them. Appealing, clearly presented choices may also help build interest in school meals and support participation.
NEW USDA SUPPORT AND FUNDING
The August 24 announcement outlined the next phase of the Trump Administration’s Make America Healthy Again effort, with stronger connections between American agriculture and school meals.
It includes:
- Up to $70 million in cafeteria infrastructure investments
- Up to $25 million in additional FY 2026 Farm to School Grants
- Education and outreach about the Local Option procurement pathway
- Encouragement for states to adopt the Pledge for Healthier School Meals, including practices aligned with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025-2030 that can be implemented immediately
Schools exploring funding opportunities can ask their grant administrator whether menu boards may qualify as an educational, promotional, or food-origin communication expense within an eligible project. Eligibility and approval depend on the specific grant.
CUSTOMIZED FOR YOUR CAFETERIA
Many of our existing menu board designs can be customized with your selected header and matching check boxes.
Dry Erase 'Checkmark' School Menu Boards
Dry Erase Heart 'Pick Smart" Lunch School Menu Boards - Portrait
LED Flashing 'Checkmark" Lunch School Menu Boards
Showing a sample board without Checkmarks of Fruit and Vegetable
This Option is available on any of our Checkmark designs
Showing a sample board without Checkmarks of Fruit and Vegetable
This Option is available on any of our Checkmark designs
Dry Erase Boxed 'Checkmark" Lunch School Menu Boards - Portrait
Dry Erase Entrees Heart 'Checkmark" Lunch School Menu Boards - Portrait
Dry Erase Entrees Boxed 'Checkmark" Lunch School Menu Boards - Portrait
Dry Erase MyPlate Heart 'Checkmark" Lunch School Menu Boards - Portrait
Dry Erase MyPlate Heart 'Checkmark" Lunch School Menu Boards - Landscape
Dry Erase MyPlate Tray Boxed 'Checkmark" School Menu Boards -Blue
Dry Erase MyPlate Boxed 'Checkmark" Lunch School Menu Boards - Portrait
Dry Erase MyPlate Heart 'Checkmark" Lunch School Menu Boards - Landscape
Dry Erase Boxed 'Checkmark" Lunch/Breakfast School Menu Boards - Portrait
Dry Erase Heart 'Checkmark" Lunch/Breakfast School Menu Boards - Landscape
Dry Erase Boxed 'Checkmrk" Lunch/Breakfast School Menu Boards - Landscape
Dry Erase Heart 'Checkmark" Brekfast Grains School Menu Boards - Portait
Dry Erase Box 'Checkmark" Brekfast Grains School Menu Boards- Portait
Dry Erase Entrees Heart 'Checkmark" Breakfast School Menu Boards - Portrait
Dry Erase Entrees Boxed 'Checkmark" Breakfast School Menu Boards - Grains
✅ Why You Don’t Need to Mark All Fruits & Vegetables as Smart Picks
⚠️ When You Might Want to Mark Certain Fruits & Vegetables as Smart PicksSome prepared or processed fruits and vegetables may not meet Smart Pick criteria due to added sugar, salt, or unhealthy fats. Marking only the truly Smart Pick options may help students make healthier choices. Examples include:
- Whole, Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Are Always Smart Choices
- Plain, raw, steamed, roasted, or lightly cooked vegetables and fruits naturally fit Smart Pick criteria.
- They are low in fat, sodium, and added sugar, making them inherently a healthy choice.
- Example: Fresh apples, carrots, leafy greens, or steamed broccoli do not need a Smart Pick marking—they already align with healthy eating guidelines.
- USDA MyPlate & School Nutrition Standards Consider Fruits & Vegetables Essential
- Schools encourage students to fill half their plate with fruits and vegetables.
- Since these food groups are already prioritized, marking them separately isn’t necessary.
⚠️ When You Might Want to Mark Certain Fruits & Vegetables as Smart PicksSome prepared or processed fruits and vegetables may not meet Smart Pick criteria due to added sugar, salt, or unhealthy fats. Marking only the truly Smart Pick options may help students make healthier choices. Examples include:
- Fruits With Added Sugar
- Canned fruit in syrup or sweetened fruit cups may not meet Smart Pick criteria.
- Smart Pick alternative: Unsweetened fruit cups or fresh fruit.
- Vegetables With Added Fats or Sodium
- French fries, hash browns, or fried vegetable dishes are not Smart Picks.
- Creamed or buttered vegetables (like creamed corn or cheese-covered broccoli) may be high in fat and sodium.
- Smart Pick alternative: Steamed, roasted, or raw vegetables without heavy sauces.
- Packaged or Processed Vegetable-Based Snacks
- Some vegetable chips or fruit snacks marketed as "healthy" contain added sugar, sodium, or preservatives, making them less Smart Pick-friendly.
✅ Introducing Checkmark Boards – A Smarter Approach to School MenusOur Checkmark Boards allow food service teams to highlight healthier options and improve meal planning with a simple, clear system. These boards are available in:
🟢 Wall-Mounted Displays – Ideal for traditional placement, providing a consistent and clear visual for students.
🟢 Front-of-Line Stands – Designed for maximum visibility, allowing students to see meal options before reaching the serving area, reducing wait times and supporting better meal decisions.
With flexible placement options and an intuitive checkmark system, our boards enhance cafeteria operations, improve efficiency, and promote better food selection habits among students.
✅ How Our Boards Help You Meet USDA RequirementsThe USDA’s National School Lunch & Breakfast Programs (NSLP & SBP) require schools to:
🟢 Organize Meals by MyPlate Food Groups
✔ USDA Standard: Schools must offer protein, grains, vegetables, fruits, and milk in each reimbursable meal.
✔ Our Solution: Our boards clearly list each meal component by food group so students can see their options easily.
🟢 Support the Offer Versus Serve (OVS) Policy
✔ USDA Standard: Students must choose at least three food components, including one fruit or vegetable for a reimbursable meal.
✔ Our Solution: By placing the menu board at the front of the serving line, students can see exactly what they need to select to meet OVS requirements before reaching the tray.
🟢 Encourage Healthier Eating Through Nutrition Education
✔ USDA Standard: Schools should promote nutritious meal selections using signage and menu boards.
✔ Our Solution: Our Smart Picks feature allows food service teams to highlight the most nutritious choices with a simple checkmark or asterisk, making it easy for students to recognize the healthiest options.
🟢 Provide a Flexible & Adaptable Display for Daily Menus
✔ USDA Standard: Menus must be updated regularly to reflect daily offerings.
✔ Our Solution: Dry erase boards allow for quick menu updates, while LED flashing boards grab attention and reinforce nutritious selections.
✅ Beyond Compliance: How Checkmark Boards Improve OperationsOur Checkmark Boards are more than just menu displays—they help food service teams streamline operations, reduce waste, and make better planning decisions by:
🟢 Predicting Demand More Accurately – Helps food services anticipate popular items and adjust portion sizes accordingly.
🟢 Reducing Food Waste – By analyzing selection trends, food services can minimize overproduction and avoid unnecessary waste.
🟢 Optimizing Inventory Management – Ensures that high-demand ingredients are stocked properly, reducing shortages and excess stock.
🟢 Improving Cost Efficiency – Schools can focus resources on the most chosen items, cutting costs on less popular options.
🟢 Adjusting Menus Based on Data – Tracking checkmarked items over time helps food service directors refine menu offerings based on real student preferences.
🟢 Encouraging Healthier Choices – A clear checkmark system makes nutritious foods stand out, guiding students toward healthier meal selections.
🟢 Reducing Decision Time – Clear visual cues help students make quicker meal choices, leading to faster-moving lines and improved efficiency.
🟢 Increasing Sales of Nutritious Foods – Schools may see higher participation in meal programs by making healthier foods more appealing.
🟢 Supporting Marketing & Education Efforts – The Checkmark system reinforces nutrition education, making school cafeterias an extension of the classroom.
🟢 More Efficiency, Less Food Waste = Saving Money! – Smarter menu planning leads to lower costs, improved operations, and a more sustainable school meal program.
✅ Why Choose Our Checkmark Boards?✔ USDA-Aligned & MyPlate-Compatible – Organizes meals by food group for compliance with federal standards and reinforces the OVS policy.
✔ Wall-Mounted & Front-of-Line Placement Options – Choose between traditional wall-mounted displays or front-of-line stands for maximum impact.
✔ Encourages Smarter Eating with Smart Picks – Schools control which items are highlighted based on local nutrition goals using an easy checkmark or asterisk system.
✔ Highly Flexible & Easy to Use –
✅ Upgrade Your School Menu Boards Today!By investing in Checkmark Boards, you’re not just displaying meals—you’re helping students make healthier choices, improving cafeteria operations, and ensuring compliance with USDA guidelines.
🟢 Wall-Mounted Displays – Ideal for traditional placement, providing a consistent and clear visual for students.
🟢 Front-of-Line Stands – Designed for maximum visibility, allowing students to see meal options before reaching the serving area, reducing wait times and supporting better meal decisions.
With flexible placement options and an intuitive checkmark system, our boards enhance cafeteria operations, improve efficiency, and promote better food selection habits among students.
✅ How Our Boards Help You Meet USDA RequirementsThe USDA’s National School Lunch & Breakfast Programs (NSLP & SBP) require schools to:
🟢 Organize Meals by MyPlate Food Groups
✔ USDA Standard: Schools must offer protein, grains, vegetables, fruits, and milk in each reimbursable meal.
✔ Our Solution: Our boards clearly list each meal component by food group so students can see their options easily.
🟢 Support the Offer Versus Serve (OVS) Policy
✔ USDA Standard: Students must choose at least three food components, including one fruit or vegetable for a reimbursable meal.
✔ Our Solution: By placing the menu board at the front of the serving line, students can see exactly what they need to select to meet OVS requirements before reaching the tray.
🟢 Encourage Healthier Eating Through Nutrition Education
✔ USDA Standard: Schools should promote nutritious meal selections using signage and menu boards.
✔ Our Solution: Our Smart Picks feature allows food service teams to highlight the most nutritious choices with a simple checkmark or asterisk, making it easy for students to recognize the healthiest options.
🟢 Provide a Flexible & Adaptable Display for Daily Menus
✔ USDA Standard: Menus must be updated regularly to reflect daily offerings.
✔ Our Solution: Dry erase boards allow for quick menu updates, while LED flashing boards grab attention and reinforce nutritious selections.
✅ Beyond Compliance: How Checkmark Boards Improve OperationsOur Checkmark Boards are more than just menu displays—they help food service teams streamline operations, reduce waste, and make better planning decisions by:
🟢 Predicting Demand More Accurately – Helps food services anticipate popular items and adjust portion sizes accordingly.
🟢 Reducing Food Waste – By analyzing selection trends, food services can minimize overproduction and avoid unnecessary waste.
🟢 Optimizing Inventory Management – Ensures that high-demand ingredients are stocked properly, reducing shortages and excess stock.
🟢 Improving Cost Efficiency – Schools can focus resources on the most chosen items, cutting costs on less popular options.
🟢 Adjusting Menus Based on Data – Tracking checkmarked items over time helps food service directors refine menu offerings based on real student preferences.
🟢 Encouraging Healthier Choices – A clear checkmark system makes nutritious foods stand out, guiding students toward healthier meal selections.
🟢 Reducing Decision Time – Clear visual cues help students make quicker meal choices, leading to faster-moving lines and improved efficiency.
🟢 Increasing Sales of Nutritious Foods – Schools may see higher participation in meal programs by making healthier foods more appealing.
🟢 Supporting Marketing & Education Efforts – The Checkmark system reinforces nutrition education, making school cafeterias an extension of the classroom.
🟢 More Efficiency, Less Food Waste = Saving Money! – Smarter menu planning leads to lower costs, improved operations, and a more sustainable school meal program.
✅ Why Choose Our Checkmark Boards?✔ USDA-Aligned & MyPlate-Compatible – Organizes meals by food group for compliance with federal standards and reinforces the OVS policy.
✔ Wall-Mounted & Front-of-Line Placement Options – Choose between traditional wall-mounted displays or front-of-line stands for maximum impact.
✔ Encourages Smarter Eating with Smart Picks – Schools control which items are highlighted based on local nutrition goals using an easy checkmark or asterisk system.
✔ Highly Flexible & Easy to Use –
- Dry erase boards allow for daily updates.
- LED flashing boards increase student engagement.
- Works for breakfast, lunch, snack, and supper programs.
✅ Upgrade Your School Menu Boards Today!By investing in Checkmark Boards, you’re not just displaying meals—you’re helping students make healthier choices, improving cafeteria operations, and ensuring compliance with USDA guidelines.