| Parents are insisting that school health officials find | | | | met. In the case of beverages, according to the |
| solutions in the fight against childhood and teen | | | | American Beverage Association guidelines, only water |
| obesity. Not so long ago, and even still today, school | | | | or 100 percent juice can be sold in grade schools, |
| vending machines could be found stocked with all | | | | while food items for middle schools must include low |
| kinds of sweet and unhealthy snacks. There is no | | | | calorie beverages and soft drinks. For high schools |
| doubt that kids love the selection, but they lack the | | | | the number of soft drinks in the selection should not |
| discipline to refrain from over-indulging themselves | | | | be greater than 50 percent, while other healthier |
| with these products. Research has shown that the | | | | selections should make up the other half, like sports |
| best way to avoid obesity as an adult is to begin | | | | drinks, for example. |
| eating healthier choices as a child. But does this bode | | | | There is also an emotional factor at play here. When |
| well for the vending industry? | | | | more choices exist, it puts a person more at ease |
| Adding healthy choices for kids to eat can mean | | | | and breaks up the boredom that may arise out of |
| additional business opportunities for vendors and food | | | | having the same old items to choose from. School |
| manufacturers alike. People interested in starting a | | | | vending machines that offer such healthy choices as |
| business in the vending industry may be at an | | | | milk, juice, water, sandwiches, cereal bars or |
| advantage over existing vendors who are established | | | | crackers, can be a welcome snack that satisfies |
| in the business. The reason for this is because | | | | students more and allows them to pay better |
| existing vendors may have too much already | | | | attention to their classwork. |
| invested in the products they sell today, leaving them | | | | School experts are acknowledging the fact that |
| with fewer avenues to get rid of their inventory. | | | | stocking vending machines with healthy food options |
| On the other hand, someone new to the industry | | | | is a more attractive choice than removing them all |
| may be more flexible in the choices of school vending | | | | together. Removing them will certainly not deter |
| machines and products to sell. Another possibility is | | | | teens from obtaining unhealthy items because they |
| that the equipment that existing vendors have in use | | | | will simply wait to get out of school to get them. |
| today may not offer the ability necessary to sell the | | | | Owners of vending machines who are willing to keep |
| types of snacks parents want their children to | | | | up with the fluctuating demands of their audience will |
| choose from. | | | | survive, while taking satisfaction of knowing they are |
| For a vendor to come to an agreement to sell food | | | | helping children to get and stay healthy. |
| products within a school, certain criteria should be | | | | |