Adding Health Food to a Vending Machine?

Answer 1

Vending machines are frequently found at the work place and in many public schools. However, new federal regulations have been put into place that will mandate the nutritional value of foods placed within a vending machine that is in a publicly funded school. Many vending machine operators are worried that new regulations will cut into their already small profit margins.

Market research has shown that sales of healthy foods are sluggish at best when compared to vending machines that sell snacks like candy, potato chips, and soft drinks. However, in order to keep a foothold in the lucrative school vending machine market, many vending machine operators are choosing to adapt rather than be left behind.

One industry trade organization called National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA)is trying to get its vendors to comply with a set of nutritional guidelines. Any item that meets these guidelines will receive a special certification that can be placed on its labeling to indicate that it is indeed a healthy choice. NAMA calls this initiative Fit Pick and has worked with industry insiders, nutritionists, and physicians to come up with the guidelines. According to the Fit Pick program, qualifying food items would have to pass the 35-10-35 test. This new standard requires that all foods bearing the healthy label should have no more than 35% calories from fat, 10% of those calories from saturated far, and less than 35% of the item’s total weight in sugar. Their goal is to provide healthy alternatives in school vending machines to combat childhood obesity, which is an increasing problem that is plaguing today’s youths. Some insiders have called for even more stringent standards that would place restrictions on a food item’s calorie content and sodium levels.

Industry insiders also suggest that owners of a vending machine try to add fresh options like fruits and vegetables. They also suggest that owners of vending machines that sell soft drinks should switch to vending low-sugar fruit drinks and water in order to comply with federal regulations.

Although the initial changes may cause a drop in sales, profits are sure to pick up once children become acclimated to the new vending machine offerings.