HEALTHY VENDING MACHINES

Yang Li

75% of Drinks and 85% of Snacks Unhealthful, Says CSPI

the Center for Science in the Public Interest

Statistics

Vending machines:• 21.1% of elementary schools• 62.4% of middle schools• 85.8% of high schools

Healthy status:• 98% of school-aged children in the United States do not meet the requirements of the Food Guide Pyramid

• Schools promote healthy eating to promote good health and ensure adequate nutrition that assist with normal development and academic performance or success.

---- Health People 2010 report

• Children who are offered nutritious foods and beverages will eat these foods and develop good eating habits.

---- USDA

Pros of vending machines

• Easy access to snacks and drinks• Save time• Low price• Schools earn money

Cons of vending machines

• Unhealthy snacks lead to health concerns

Cons of vending machines

• Unhealthy snacks lead to health concerns• Vending machines discourage healthy eating

“It’s hard enough for parents to guide their children’s food choices, but it becomes virtually impossible when public schools are peddling junk food throughout the school day”

------Margo G. WootanCSPI nutrition policy director

Solutions

• Replace with healthy foods• Offer water, 100% juices and milk • Offer healthy snacks including granola and cereal bars

Solutions

• Replace with healthy foods• Replace with healthy vending machines

• H.U.M.A.N. Healthy Vending http://www.healthyvending.com/

• Fresh Healthy Vending http://www.freshvending.com/

• Yo!naturals Organic Healthy Vending http://www.yonaturals.com/products/

Benefits

We still have…• Convenience• Low price

In addition, …• Schools are not losing money (short-term)

• Maine • Minneapolis

• Health (long-term)

Summary

• Traditional vending machines• Convenience• Low price• Schools earn money

• Healthy vending machines• Convenience• Low price• Schools do not lose money

•Health

Choosing healthy vending machines is choosing health.

References • CSPI. (2004). School Vending Machines “Dispensing Junk”. Available: http://

cspinet.org/new/200405111.html• USDA. (2001). Foods Sold in Competition with USDA School Meal Programs.

A Report to Congress• Pauline A. Vickery. (2010). Healthy People 2010Report. Available:

http://www.diet.com/g/healthy-people-2010-report• Laura Kann. (2007). Overview and Summary: School Health Policies and

Programs Study 2006. Journal of School Health. 77(8), 385-397• Leslie Whittaker. Cons of Vending Machines in Schools. eHow.com. Available:

http://www.ehow.com/list_5824462_cons-vending-machines-schools.html• Council on clinical affairs. (2009). Policy on Vending Machines in Schools.

Oral Health Policies. 32(6), 50-51.• CSPI. (2004). Dispensing Junk: How School Vending Undermines Efforts to

Feed Children Well. Available: http://cspinet.org/new/pdf/dispensing_junk.pdf