As schools and other institutions seek to encourage people to eat more nutritional foods, the kinds of products offered in vending machines on the premises should come under review. Speak to the machine vendor about changing out junk food for healthy alternatives. If the vendor can't or won't do so, there are other options for stocking healthy foods on the premises. It is entirely possible to provide healthy beverages and snacks in vending machines so long as you own the machines outright and are not dependent on any snack companies for machine placement.
Beverages
There are varieties of low-sugar beverages available in plastic bottle and in some cases, aluminum cans. When purchasing private vending machines, try to get units that will dispense plastic bottles: you'll have more choices for cold beverages. Select bottled water, natural fruit juice, low-fat milk and unsweetened tea products.
Fresh Fruits
Many vending machine designs can accommodate dispensing whole, natural fruits including oranges, apples, peaches and plums. Grapes and bananas are harder to make work in a machine. You need to track and scale inventories daily if you stock fresh fruits and change out old fruit for fresh frequently.
Prepared Fruits and Yogurts
It's also possible to offer non-refrigerated fruit and yogurt cups in certain machine types. Choose fruit cups that contain natural fruit juices or "light syrup" rather than sugared and heavy syrups. If you dispense fruit cups, you will need to plan a means of providing spoons for consumption of these kinds of products, perhaps on a nearby "commissary" table.
Dried Fruits and Nuts
Small packages of natural dried fruits, nuts and other trail mixes can be dispensed. Don't offer trail mixes that contain chocolate. Avoid nut offerings that contain peanuts or mark the peanut-laden vending choices very clearly to protect those who are allergic to peanuts.
Snack "Chip" Items
Offer non-fat, non-fried or whole-grain chips instead of potato or tortilla chips. There are many brands available in individual servings, including spicy and other flavored chips.
Healthy Snack Bars
Granola and other healthy snack bars are also available in individual vending-machine portions. Research the products first to make sure they are as nutritious as you intend, and not cleverly concealed "candy bars."
References
- "Snack Food (Healthy Choices - Macmillan Library)"; Sharon Dalgleish; March 22, 2006
- "Healthy Employees, Healthy Business: Easy, Affordable Ways to Promote Workplace Wellness"; Ilona M. Bray; October 12, 2009
- "Snack Attack!: Over 150 Guilt-free Treats for Healthy Munching"; American Diabetes Association and Ruth Glick; October 27, 2006
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