PRINT MATERIALS FAQ
Browse the list below to find answers to commonly asked questions about printing G4G education and marketing materials for multiple venues across your installation.
Do you have a unique printing request or resource need? We’re happy to connect and help you navigate a way forward. Email us at G4GTeam@usuhs.edu . Thank you for being a G4G CHAMPion too! Follow us on Facebook to see how other facilities “go for Green.”
Why is it important to print standardized G4G materials?
G4G provides a quick and easy way for service members to find performance-focused foods and drinks. Using standardized G4G signage, including food and drink cards, in your facility aligns with G4G Program Requirement #7: Marketing & Education by helping to inform diners how to use G4G and the impact of nutrition on performance, readiness, and health. In addition, dining facilities can benefit from G4G by promoting themselves as the best option for delicious, performance-boosting fuel. Before you get started printing G4G materials:
- Assemble your G4G team.
- Bring your local G4G team up to speed on the latest policies and training requirements.
- Evaluate the available space in your facility to help determine which materials fit best.
- Determine a marketing plan to get the word out about how G4G helps diners fuel well for peak performance - check out these strategies.
Tip from the field
During the planning process, ask yourselves, “How can we display G4G materials to help service members fuel for performance?
Ready to go for Green, but still have questions? Contact G4GTeam@usuhs.edu for assistance with planning, implementing, and maintaining G4G.
Where can I find G4G materials?
We offer a variety of posters and other print materials that can be downloaded from the Print & Digital Materials page. G4G food cards, drink cards, posters, table tents, table signs, and brochures should be professionally printed at your local print offices. The exact amount of materials your dining facility should print or order depends on its size, menu cycle, and menu items. Place materials in high-traffic areas or in places where diners might wait in line.
We also have digital menus and promotional materials if your facility uses digital menu boards or screens. Lastly, we have graphics, a comprehensive curriculum, and best practices to create content for social media accounts your facility may have access to.
Tip from the field
Identify a G4G team member to assemble, display, and manage food cards and menu signage.
My local printing office needs more details on printing G4G materials. Where can I find that information?
G4G’s Print & Digital Materials page has high-resolution PDF files and other materials you can provide to your local printing office. In addition, your office can use the detailed guidance in the G4G Printing Instructions for optimal printing.
Does G4G have performance nutrition education resources?
The G4G program makes it easy to find and choose high-performance fuel by labeling items Green (high-performance fuel), Yellow (moderate-performance fuel), and Red (low-performance fuel). We have resources to help service members power their performance with G4G.
Partner with a registered dietitian (RD) or qualified nutrition asset to use printed G4G materials to help educate diners on G4G’s role in performance nutrition.These nutrition experts can help support education, training, and promotion efforts. RD can leverage their expertise by:
- Briefing service members on performance nutrition and G4G.
- Supporting G4G planning efforts.
- Collaborating on content to optimize your marketing strategy through social media, educational briefs, articles or newsletters, and other nutrition-education materials.
Tip from the field
Check out these RD-specific resources for more ways to support high-performance fueling.
Does G4G have performance nutrition education resources?
The G4G program makes it easy to find and choose high-performance fuel by labeling items Green (high-performance fuel), Yellow (moderate-performance fuel), and Red (low-performance fuel). We have resources to help service members power their performance with G4G.
Partner with a registered dietitian (RD) or qualified nutrition asset to use printed G4G materials to help educate diners on G4G’s role in performance nutrition.These nutrition experts can help support education, training, and promotion efforts. RD can leverage their expertise by:
- Briefing service members on performance nutrition and G4G.
- Supporting G4G planning efforts.
- Collaborating on content to optimize your marketing strategy through social media, educational briefs, articles or newsletters, and other nutrition-education materials.
Tip from the field
Check out these RD-specific resources for more ways to support high-performance fueling.
Can I create and print my own G4G materials?
Display only approved G4G posters, food cards, drink cards, table tents, and brochures in your dining facility. Marketing is critical to program success, so consistently displaying the G4G logo and G4G-approved products helps raise diner awareness of the program. Also, with G4G being a DoW program, standardized G4G materials help diners choose performance-boosting meals at any military facility worldwide.
Be sure to browse the G4G educational and marketing material section to find ways to promote performance-enhancing foods and drinks at your dining facility.
Tip from the field
Do you have an idea for new G4G materials? Contact us at G4GTeam@usuhs.edu with your suggestions.
G4G FOOD CARDS & DRINK CARDS
Why are G4G food & drink cards important?
G4G food cards and drG4G food and drink cards are some of the most visual program components because your diners will see them when choosing what to eat. Once recipes and food/drink items have been assigned color and sodium codes, you’re ready to create food cards. Producing food cards properly is a critical step in the G4G program and requires attention to detail. Food and drink cards with sodium codes educate diners and highlight the program as well as meet G4G Program Requirement 4: Standardized display of G4G color and sodium codes.
Aim to use individual food cards and drink cards for every menu item to identify the food or drink and label the G4G color and sodium code at the point of selection. Neatly display food cards in front of (or nearby) each menu item, so diners can quickly and easily identify high-performance foods.
Tip from the field
Designated a detail-oriented and well-organized G4G team member to create sticky labels, print materials, and assemble G4G food cards.
How do I order professionally printed G4G food and drink cards?
G4G food cards, drink cards, posters, table tents, table signs, and brochures should all be professionally printed. You can download the files from our website and print them at your local print office. Contact your G4G service representative for Service-specific guidance on ordering materials. We also have digital materials if your facility has digital menu boards.
For best practices assembling and presenting food and drink cards in your facilities, check out the article on food and drink cards basics.
Tip from the field
Looking to save time and decrease your facility’s need for individual food cards? Fill out a G4G menu board template instead with the serving station's menu, print it, and then post it on serving lines and stations (or display digitally, if possible). Refer to the G4G program requirements for guidance on using the G4G logo.
Can I make my own template for G4G food and drink cards?
Use only approved standardized G4G food cards to ensure program consistency. Assemble food cards using this 5-step process for optimal results.
Are there other ways to label menu items with G4G codes instead of using food and drinks cards?
Food cards, coding signs, and menu boards are all different ways to label menu items with G4G color and sodium codes. These labels are part of the overall effort to educate service members on nutrient-rich options for peak readiness.
Looking to save time and reduce your reliance on printing individual food cards? Menu signs, including menu board, build your own, and coding sign templates have multiple benefits. You can use these in addition to, or in place of, food cards.
- Reduce your dining facility’s reliance on food cards.
- Optimize space in compact areas requiring multiple labels (such as the salad bar or condiment station).
- Save money by printing menu boards and coding signs on an office printer and using fewer printed materials.
- Save time for staff when putting out materials for each meal period.
Tip from the field
Get creative with ways to showcase G4G across your installation. Some ideas include using a screen at the dining facility entrance to highlight new menu items, G4G specialty bar and “build your own” station graphics, and “Featured Meal” signs to highlight available Green meals.
G4G MENUS
G4G POSTERS
How do I order professionally printed G4G posters?
G4G posters and materials should be professionally printed locally by your installation or facility. You can download the files from our website and print them at your local print office. We also have digital materials if your facility has digital boards.
Are G4G posters free?
Each Service branch and local dining facility or galley is responsible for their own marketing and supporting materials (food card holders, poster frames, sign holders, etc.). Refer to your Service point of contact for Service-specific guidance on obtaining G4G marketing and educational materials.
What are the benefits of using G4G posters?
Do you want to help increase the number of service members who choose to “go for Green” and eat at your dining facility? Marketing is key to program success, and eye-catching posters can help promote G4G and potentially increase headcount. Display G4G posters inside your dining facility and in high-traffic areas around your installation—including gyms, barracks, or worksites—to enhance your team’s marketing efforts.
- G4G complements initiatives within each Service to promote nutrition for optimized performance.
- Posters help raise awareness of how to use G4G for mission readiness, nutritional fitness, and health.
- Displaying G4G posters gains recognition from leadership for your efforts to optimize performance and draw service members into dining facilities and galleys.
- Highlighting the importance of hydrating and building a nutrient-rich plate for training levels and recovery fuel can emphasize G4G principles throughout the day, beyond just meals consumed in the dining facility.
G4G GRAPHICS AND LOGOS
Can I use the G4G logo?
Refer to the G4G program requirements for guidance on using the G4G logo. The G4G name and symbols are trademarked by the U.S. Army. Any use of G4G name, logo, and symbols is not allowed by commercial entities in advertising or on product packaging labels without expressed written consent from the U.S. Army.
When can I use G4G graphics?
Use G4G graphics to market and promote the program, facility menu changes, and nutrition education. You can use these graphics in digital (digital screens, email, website, online newspaper or journal, and social media) or print (newsletter, newspaper, handout, and brochure) formats.
Can I use G4G graphics and logos in our facility’s social media posts?
Yes! Social media is a powerful (and free!) strategy to let your diners know about G4G in your facility. Also, it’s an engaging, fun way to educate service members on how to eat well to perform well. Take a look at the G4G social media planner with ready-to-post messages and graphics to make connecting with your diners quick and easy. Follow your local installation and Service guidance to seek necessary approvals.