Healthy Vending Machines!!!

One of my many dreams has been to help launch 'Healthy Vending Machines' in schools across PEI. I mentioned this wacky idea to a couple of my friends at the Charlottetown Farmer's Market a few weeks ago. They laughed at my notion to introduce a line of tasty and healthy snacks in schools on PEI. If we made it appealing and fun, I am sure that kids would try out soy treats, organic fruit leather, grrrreat homemade granola bars, organic yogurt and other more nutritious snack ideas.

"Hope, how would you get that sort of thing organized on PEI?"

Well, I have started the ball rolling with my fruit leather crusade http://kiddykitchen.com/recipes. Kid's seem to like my homemade alternative even more than the junky fruit roll ups. Plus...they can make them at home with their parents!!

What about seasoned soy nuts? With all of the peanut allergies at schools, this healthy nut is definitely a delicious, kidfriendly, alternative!!

So, when Jevon emailed me this awesome link to a company http://www.stonyfield.com/weblog/ I was astounded to find out that they have actually launched 'Healthy Vending Machines' in schools across the U.S!!! http://www.stonyfield.com/MenuForChange/ParentActionKit/HealthyVendingPilotProgram.cfm

Comments

[gabe]

n.y. state assembly passes junk food ban in school vending machines
http://www.thejournalnews.com/newsroom/061004/b05p10nutrition.html

[Eileen]

I work for the Wellness Dept. at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois. We are looking to purchase "healthy" vending machines. Can you refer me to a company or site? Most only offer them in the schools. Corporations would be a great place to have them, esp. with today's obesity epidemic.
Thanks for your time--Eileen Corrigan, RD, LD

[Chris]

Hello there,
Thanks for taking note of the Stonyfield Farm Healthy Vending Machine program, and our new "Creating Healthy Kids" blog. We're not quite "across the country" yet, but soon, we hope! We are excited about the response to this program. Yes, it is possible to convince schools to go this route.

You and your readers might be interested to know we've just added a "subscribe" feature to "Creating Healthy Kids," which features daily posts about how schools, communities and parents are working to help kids eat better.

http://www.stonyfield.com/weblog/CreatingHealthyKids/

We also have 4 other blogs, for you blogging enthusiasts.

Looks like you're doing excellent work for PEI!

Best regards,
Chris
Chief Blogger
Stonyfield Farm
stonyfield.com

[malcolm parker]

I have launched my own healthy vending machine business in the Portland,Ore/Vancouver,Wa area. I'm trying to get into the schools,but they have long-term contracts with Pepsi and Coke. It's been fun and rewarding to be able to get healthy snacks outthere. This has been a dream of mine also and now it's being put into action. Soon I will have 5 machines up and running in area businesses.I'm still looking for more healthy food distributors with vending friendly product.I would love to hear from others who are doing healthy vending. -Malcolm

[Anthony Bowne]

You might want to check out a healthy living company in California called Fit Fuel(www.fitfuel.com) that specializes in healthy vending machines called Health Stations. They carry a great line of products, and they're pretty innovative - credit card capable vending machines, educational LCD panels, and online ordering of your products. Great to work with thus far. I'm trying to get one of the machines into my daughter's school, but the red tape is killing me!

Off to go make my rounds. Best of luck.

[Sean]

I was doing my usual SEO rounds today and noticed someone had posted a comment about Fit Fuel. That's what I like to see! My name is Sean and I'm the president of Fit Fuel, LLC - a healthy vending company that provides customized vending solutions to schools, offices, and more. We are the only pure healthy vending product distributor, so we source all of the best healthy vending products under one roof and get them to current, new and self-fun operators for the lowest possible cost. But this isn't enough! In order to make healthy vending work, you also have to add customized graphics, educational material, promotional programs etc...just throwing products into a machine won't do the trick! If anyone needs help in setting-up a healthy vending program, please let me know, I'd be happy to help out. Also check-out our website for more information: Healthy Vending. Thanks and good luck setting-up your healthy vending initiative.

[Sean]

Sorry, the website for healthy vending is www.fitfuel.com, but also check-out the healthy vending portal at www.healthyvending.com. Nice! Good luck again!!!

[nick]

www.yonaturals.com provides a complete turnkey solution to healthy vending. In fact, YoNaturals can deliver its YoZone healthy vending machine almost anywhere in the US. If you need a healthy alternative then contact YoNaturals. (858) 794 9955. The prroduct range is enormous and so diverse. The program is fantastic.

[holly makus]

I am looking to provide my youth with healthy altenatives. Can you refer me to a place where we may purchase "healthy vending machines"

[Brett]

We have started a healthy vending machine business in Northern Virginia. All of our products are natural and organic. Smart Snacks is the first company in the area to exclusively offer these kinds of snack alternatives in the area. If anyone is interested in putting a machine in their place of business please contact us at smartsnacks@yahoo.com

[Patrick Degrasse]

ATTN:
It is based on a "first come, first serve" basis. The first area that presents me with a signed Proposal will be awarded the 10th and final spot in our Pilot Program. Following is more information about us :
My name is Patrick Degrasse. I am the Executive Director of PEERS( peerawareness.org ). I have started a nationwide initiative to bring healthy vending to locations. We meet and exceed All SB-19 school nutrition guidelines. We are implementing 10 Pilot Programs nationwide, and we currently have 9 Pilot Program Areas scheduled. We are looking for locations to participate as our 10th Pilot Program Area. If your location wishes to participate, please contact me ASAP at (866)949-7337. There are not many days of acceptance into this Program left, as it takes us about 6-8 weeks to have everything in place..
I have included some information to tell you further about who we are and what we do for locations nationwide.
Respectfully yours,
Patrick Degrasse

PS If you and your location would like to participate, please fill out this Proposal and email or fax(866)949-7337 it back to me ASAP.
The nutritional list (attachment) is a partial list of our products. We will be updating it soon.


PEERS is a nationwide Health and Wellness Organization. Our goal is to make America a healthier place to live - one campus at a time. We are what we eat, so why not become healthy? If we limit our options just to "junk food", then we will slowly( or rapidly) progress towards obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and a vast number of other health risks. That is why we created this "Healthy Matters" Pilot Program.
"Healthy Matters" by PEERS/YoNaturals is an exclusive healthy snacking initiative aimed at people of all ages. The machines are 100% FREE to each campus, plus each campus receives a minimum of 15% commission on products sold. "Healthy Matters" offers over 150 delicious healthy products that will meet the taste preferences of our customers as well as the nutritional standards and SB 19 guidelines being introduced in school districts today. People
can enjoy natural and organic versions of low fat granola bars, cereal bars, baked chips and snacks, crackers, yogurt, water, 100% juice and smoothie beverages, iced tea, fresh fruits, nuts, fresh vegetables, and vitamin
supplements to name a few. Through YoZone/YoThirsty vending machines, healthy snacks can be offered conveniently throughout the day.
The campus actually picks exactly what products they want in their machines. You can change your products at any time. Please look at our other programs as well on our website peerawareness.org .
Together in health,
Patrick Degrasse
Executive Director, PEERS
patrick@peerawareness.org
(866) 949-7337
Here is a sample contract. The location is really of no importance, as long as we have an electrical outlet. We will appoint an operator to maintain, fill, and keep presentable for the school. The school gets 15% (minimum) of sales from the machines. The products are healthy for the students and will promote healthy choices in the foods that they eat. The operator will also have a sampling/ survey of products for the school(to determine what will be the best seller on campus). The checks for commissions will be sent to the school once a month. I hope that this answers all of your concerns. If you have any questions, call me.
Thank you,
Patrick Degrasse
Executive Director, PEERS
patrick@peerawareness.org
(866)949-7337
peerawareness.org

Here is the PROPOSAL that you need to fill out. Everything in red is for you to fill out.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you and your school.
Together in health,
Patrick Degrasse
Executive Director, PEERS
Phone : (866)949-7337
Fax : (866)949-7337
patrick@peerawareness.org

PEERS YoZone Vending Machines
LOCATION AGREEMENT PROPOSAL

This agreement made this day of June , 2007.

Between: The Vending Operator;

Contact: PEERS

Address:

Ph: Fax:

Email: patrick@peerawareness.org

And: The Location;

Between: The Location;

Contact:

Address:

Ph: Fax:

Email:

Terms and Conditions

The Vending Operator agrees to supply to The Location with ( ) YoZone vending machines for a period of Ο 90 day trial Ο 12 months Ο 24 months Ο 36 months.

The Vending Operator will service and maintain the YoZone to the highest standard at all times. This service will include:

(a) replenishing the YoZones with consumables regularly

(b) Keeping the YoZone in a presentable manner at all times

(c) Providing the Location with contact details for service / maintenance calls if required

(d) Paying The Location the fee (as per Clause 6)

It is mutually agreed that the YoZone vending machine and its contents which include consumables and coins / cash / credit slips are the sole property of The Vending Operator at all times.

The Vending Operator has secured insurance (if requested by the Location).
5.The Location agrees to provide ample space for the YoZone along with access to electricity at no cost to the Vending Operator.

The Vending Operator agrees to pay The Location a fee of (a minimum of 15% of profits) on the last day of each calendar month. The Vending Operator will provide a detailed report of all transactions.

The Vending Operator agrees to remove the machine from the Location in the event of the following taking place:

(a) The YoZone does not reach a minimum of 12 sales per day within the first 90 days of operation

(b) The YoZone is vandalized in any way

(c) The Location installs a Vending Machine similar or the same as the YoZone

The Location agrees to request that the YoZone be removed in the event that the following takes place:

(a) The Vending Operator is more then 7 days late in paying the agreed Location fee (Clause 6)

(b) The YoZone is empty of consumables for a period of more then 2-3 days

(c) The YoZone is not presentable nor maintained to an acceptable level.

Signed by The Location:

Contact Name:

Date:

Signed (or on behalf of) by The Vending Operators:

Contact Name:

Date:

[Kat]

HI. I'm a middle school student in Alberta and I was wondering if anyone knows anywhere in Alberta or close to Alberta that my school could get healthy vending machines at.

[likopinko]

Hi

I like your logo. It very impressive, many thanks. Good resources here. Thanks!


G'night

[Discount Pharmacy]

That will be a really beneficial idea! I hope that will come into reality!

[fioricet online]

Healthy vending like providing fresh fruits and vegetables juice.