How to Use the Menu Symbol

Consumers are now accustomed to looking for the Whole Grain Stamp, to find good whole grain choices in their favorite grocery.

Starting in January 2008, an equally-helpful tool is available for restaurants and other food outlets: the Whole Grain Menu Symbol. Here’s what restaurants need to know:

Who is Eligible?

Any restaurant or foodservice establishment that continually offers at least one whole grain dish or whole grain breadbasket option offering a “half serving” of whole grain is welcome to join the WGC. It’s all about choice: it’s not tough to make sure you have at least one whole grain option! Examples are below, or you can download our Menu Symbol Usage Guide (169K PDF).

Examples of Whole Grain Options

• A side dish made with any whole grain, such as brown rice, exotic colored rices, wild rice, quinoa, or barley

• Whole grain pasta

• Oatmeal, Cheerios® or other whole grain breakfast cereals

• Whole grain breads, crackers, and flatbreads in the breadbasket

• Whole grain cakes, cookies, brownies for dessert

• Ethnic dishes like whole corn tortillas, buckwheat soba noodles, or kasha

How much whole grain qualifies as a “half serving?”

• Whole grains (brown rice, quinoa, bulgur, etc.): 1/4 cup cooked or 1/2 oz dry

• Hot cereal (oatmeal, etc.): 1/4 cup cooked or 1/2 oz dry

• Whole grain pasta: 1/4 cup cooked or 1/2 oz dry

• Bread: 1 small slice 100% whole grain bread; 1 large slice “half and half” bread

Just 2 TBS whole grain flour per serving counts as a half-serving of whole grain… But more is always better!

How to Get Started with the Menu Symbol

Restaurants and foodservice establishments who would like to use the Whole Grain Menu Symbol follow these steps:

1. Read the Menu Symbol Usage Guide (169K PDF), and make sure you qualify, then join the WGC (below).

2. Sign and return a one-time Menu Symbol Agreement Form, attesting that you will observe all the rules and standards of the Menu Symbol program. We automatically send this agreement to all new members, as soon as your membership is valid.

3. Add the Menu Symbol to your menus and PR, to attract customers.

Become a Restaurant / Foodservice member today!

Your WGC restaurant / foodservice membership is a valuable tool to publicize the fact that you believe delicious food can also be healthy – in the hands of a talented chef. Your WGC membership gets you:

1. Listing on the Restaurant List on this website, with a link to your website.

2. Free media opportunities, when journalists contact us to learn who’s taking a leadership position with whole grains in restaurants.

3. The right to use the Whole Grain Symbol on menus, in ads, etc. to promote any dishes or breads containing at least 8g of whole grains per serving.

4. Access to our scientific and culinary advisors, for help with your whole grain questions.

Download a restaurant membership application now.