Is there such a thing as healthy vending? When most people think of snacks, they usually think of some type of food that is not healthy or nutritious, and snacks from vending machines are often considered even worse than other snacks.
When most people think of vending machine snacks, they think of potato chips, Cheetohs, crackers, candy bars, and soft drinks.
However, snacking can be healthy if done responsibly.
Responsible snacking usually means staying as far away from vending machines as possible, but that is beginning to change.
With childhood obesity rates rising, many schools have looked for ways to help children eat healthier.
Cafeteria selections have been changed to include healthier choices, health classes often emphasize the need to eat healthy at any age, and school officials have begun to look at food-dispensing equipment as another way to introduce healthier food choices.
Schools often have to adhere to specific government guidelines on nutritional parameters and see healthy vending as one of the best ways to follow these guidelines and improve the health of our nation's children.
Besides schools, there are many other places that would be interested in healthier options for snacks.
Fitness centers, gyms, athletics centers on college campuses, beach boardwalk areas, parks, and recreation centers are all perfect places for new and improved snacking options.
Many businesses would also consider healthy snacks; with rising health care costs, it is conceivable that healthier eating could reduce the amount of doctor and hospital visits, decrease the number of sick days, and improve the health and vitality of all employees.
There are many food options for healthy vending.
Water, flavored water, energy bars, soy milk, yogurt, string cheese, carrots and dip or hummus, baked chips, and nuts are only a few of the healthier options.
Though these choices may be more expensive than the typical vending machine snack, business owners can assume that people will spend a little more money in order to eat something less fattening and more nutritious.
People will pay more at a health food store for organic or healthier products, it is reasonable to assume that they will pay more to get better quality from a vending machines.
Most owners of food-dispensing equipment can start out slowly with this new trend of healthy eating.
They can mix in a few healthy products with the traditional items.
Or, if they have a location with a few machines, place one piece of equipment that dispenses healthy products alongside the other less healthy products.
Finding the right location for any healthy vending machines is also important.
Using a vending locator service to find the best locations in your area can save time and hassle, and help your business make more money from your equipment.
Healthy vending is a new trend in the industry; getting in now can help your business grow and prosper.