Go for Green® Nutrition Program: Translating Evidence Into Practice

Area of Science:

• Public Health Nutrition
• Military Health Systems
• Health Promotion

Background:

• Go for Green® (G4G) is an evidence-based, multi-component nutrition program designed for military dining facilities (DFAC).
• The program has evolved significantly over a decade, expanding from initial training support to a comprehensive intervention across all U.S. Military branches.
• It aims to improve nutritional fitness and optimize the nutrition environment for Service Members.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the evolution of the Go for Green® program.
• To detail the development of standardized program requirements for G4G.
• To share lessons learned from the implementation of G4G in military dining facilities.

Main Methods:

• The current G4G program incorporates eight key requirements: traffic light labeling, nutritious menus, choice architecture, food promotion, marketing, and staff training.
• The program's evolution is informed by the latest scientific evidence, health promotion best practices, and nutrition education principles.
• Feedback and data from program developers, military foodservice headquarters, installation leadership, and DFAC teams were gathered to understand implementation.

Main Results:

• The Go for Green® program has undergone substantial evolution and expansion over the past decade.
• Research, nutrition science, and stakeholder feedback have driven programmatic changes and enhancements.
• Implementation insights highlight challenges, successes, facilitators, and barriers encountered in military dining facilities.

Conclusions:

• Go for Green 2.0 represents a robust, innovative, and multi-component performance nutrition program with defined requirements.
• Enhancements include setting program requirements, expanding components, and establishing a centralized resource hub.
• Performance nutrition initiatives like G4G 2.0 hold significant potential to positively impact the health and well-being of Service Members.