HealthyYOU Vending Machines Uniquely Positioned to Replace Junk Food Vending Machines in Schools

Salt Lake City, Utah, August 1, 2016 (Newswire.com) - ​​In December of 2010, President Barack Obama signed into law The Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 that went into effect later in 2014. In recent years, The Healthy Hunger Free Kids act has been responsible for the many changes in school breakfast and lunch menus; namely increasing fruits and vegetables and reducing fat, sodium and sugar in the meals served.

A 2001 report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture showed that children in the school breakfast program, many of whom also eat school-provided lunches, consume as much as half their calories each day at school. A 2009 study showed that sugar-sweetened beverages add 112 calories to the average elementary school student’s daily diet.

Research has begun to show the benefits of regulating competitive foods. A 2011 study of 6,300 students in 40 states found that children in states with strong laws governing the nutrition content of competitive food in schools gained less weight over three years than students in states without those laws.

In addition to regulating school breakfast and lunch menus, the government is now moving onto what it calls “competitive foods.” “Competitive foods” include a la carte items such as burgers, pizza, items from snack bars, school stores and of course, vending machines.

Regarding the breakfast and lunch items, food must have fewer than 200 calories, less than 230 milligrams of sodium, less than 35 percent of their calories from fat and less than 35 percent of their weight from sugar. A la carte entrees must meet the same sugar and fat requirements but can have as much as 480 milligrams of sodium and 350 calories.

Research has begun to show the benefits of regulating competitive foods. A 2011 study of 6,300 students in 40 states found that children in states with strong laws governing the nutrition content of competitive food in schools gained less weight over three years than students in states without those laws.

“Give us a couple of years and you will see the effects across the country of not just school meals, but of all food sold in schools,” said Kevin Concannon, undersecretary for food, nutrition and consumer services for the USDA, which regulates school breakfasts and lunches. “I know it can make a difference.”

However, one difficult adjustment for schools has been the revenue lost when junk food is removed from vending machines. Without junk food, students buy less from vending machines, there are fewer machines total and some schools have lost bonuses that beverage companies were paying to keep machines in schools.

HealthyYOU Vending is uniquely positioned to replace junk food vending machines as schools seek to combat the loss of revenue and look for equally satisfying, yet healthy, snacks and beverages to include in their vending machines.

HealthyYOU Vending options include Krave jerky, a gluten-free, grass-fed, minimally processed HealthyYOU vending top seller. Coconut chips that deliver a natural energy boost, raw seeds and nuts that provide an all-natural punch and many brands of chips that are simply dehydrated fruit with no preservatives. Bare apple chips, for example, have only one ingredient: apple.

For more information about HealthyYOU Vending, its entrepreneurial philosophy and the HealthyYOU Difference, go to http://www.healthyyouvending.com/

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HealthyYOU Vending is the world leader in the healthy vending industry. Founded by seasoned vending veterans Mike Burnett and Jeff Marsh, their corporate offices are located in Kaysville, Utah. All company vending machines are privately manufactured in the United States at a state-of-the-art facility. Owner/Operator opportunities for serious-minded entrepreneurs are currently available. 

Source: HealthyYOU Vending