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Dry Erase 'Choose Smart Picks First'
​Better Nutrition and Lower Food Cost Menu Boards
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Dry Erase Lunch/Breakfast 'Choose Smart Picks First!'  Menu Boards1
Better Nutrition, Lower Food Cost
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Better Nutrition, Lower Food Cost
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Better Nutrition, Lower Food Cost
Cut Meal Costs and Boost Nutrition with One Smart Strategy
Two simple behavior shifts. One powerful solution for school food service teams.
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With food prices climbing and new federal policies adding unreimbursed costs to school meals, districts nationwide are under growing pressure to deliver nutritious, appealing meals on tighter budgets. According to the School Nutrition Association (SNA), schools are now absorbing an added $0.40 per lunch and $0.15 per breakfast — direct costs not covered by federal reimbursements.


In response to this growing challenge, Green Edge Systems is introducing a new line of LED Flashing and Dry Erase Menu Boards and Signage—designed specifically to help schools practically implement a cost-saving, USDA-aligned strategy: 
* Encourage students to pick vegetables or whole grains first
* Promote water as the first choice for thirst
This smart and simple shift lowers the cost per meal while maintaining—and in many cases, improving—nutritional value.
A Smart, USDA-Aligned Strategy That Delivers ResultsOur solution is built on two evidence-based behavior shifts that lower food costs while improving nutrition:
  • Pick Vegetables or Whole Grains First
    Affordable, nutrient-dense foods that support satiety and fiber intake
  • Choose Water First for Thirst
    Reduces milk/juice waste and supports hydration, focus, and mood
Backed by the Smarter Lunchrooms Movement and real-world success stories, these changes help schools:


  • Lower food costs
  • Improve student satisfaction
  • Increase full-meal participation
Vegetables First
  • More filling, fewer calories – Fiber helps regulate appetite and blood sugar
    (Sources: VeryWellHealth, CDC)
  • Nutrient-dense and affordable – Supports MyPlate’s half-plate vegetable recommendation
  • Encourages long-term healthy habits
Whole Grains First
  • Slow-digesting energy – Ideal for academic focus and stamina
    (Source: EatingWell)
  • Rich in B vitamins, iron, and fiber
Water for Thirst

  • Zero-calorie hydration – Prevents dehydration and improves focus
    (Sources: CHOP, CDC)
  • Reduces milk and sugary drink waste
  • Linked to better mood and learning
  • Note: Promoting water first does not replace USDA-required milk offerings. Schools still offer milk with meals - this strategy simply encourages hydration habits that reduce waste and improve outcomes.
This strategy isn’t just theory—it’s backed by research and success stories from real districts.
See the attached documents, “Evidence-Based Meal Strategy for Cost-Effective Nutrition,” and The Smarter Lunchrooms Movement California Success Stories report for details.

Let Your Menu Boards Lead the Way
To help make these habits visible and actionable, we’ve developed LED Flashing Menu Boards and Dry Erase Boards that promote healthier habits every day:
  • Eye-level placement in front of the cafeteria - right where choices are made
  • Custom mascot headers and slogans, such as:
    “Pick Veggies or Grains First!”
    “Drink Water for Thirst”
  • USDA MyPlate visuals reinforce balanced meals
  • New design highlights Veggies and Grains at the top of the menu, encouraging students to choose these first
Already Have Menu Boards in Place?Even if your district already uses digital, dry erase, or printed menu boards, we now offer standalone LED Flashing Signs to promote key behavior shifts like:
  • “Pick Veggies or Grains First!”
  • “Drink Water for Thirst”
These signs can be added to your existing setup to reinforce cost-saving, nutrition-smart choices—without needing to replace your current boards.
They're eye-catching and affordable.
Real Results, Real SavingsSchools using this approach report:
  • Lower average food cost per meal
  • More frequent selection of vegetables and whole grains
  • Higher student satisfaction with meal variety and balance
And here’s the key:
Many schools save more in 1–2 months than the full cost of our boards.


We understand your district’s approach to food cost savings may differ from the strategy we’ve outlined. That’s why, for districts ordering 5 or more boards, we offer customization of any graphics — including headers and messages — at no additional charge, so your menu boards reflect your own goals and messaging.
All graphics shown on our site can be sized for wall-mounted or A-frame formats.

​Trusted Nationwide by 1,000+ Districts
Green Edge Systems has been trusted for over a decade, with boards now seen by over 1 million students daily across 1,000+ school districts.
We were among the first - if not the very first - to introduce digital menu boards to K–12 food service in 2012 and the first to incorporate the USDA MyPlate concept into visual cafeteria signage. We developed our LED Flashing Menu Boards to solve real-world challenges - visibility, placement, and cost - with no ongoing fees.