Eat. Well. Healthy Vending Program

More than two-thirds of American adults are overweight or obese, putting them at risk for heart disease and stroke as well as many other chronic illnesses and conditions. Improving our diet can have a dramatic impact on those conditions. Making healthy changes in the workplace, where many adults spend much of their day, is an important way to help people be healthier.

Why Do We Need Healthier Vending?
Vending machines are common sources of junk food and sugary drinks, so guidelines for healthy vending are an emerging strategy to increase healthy eating and reduce obesity. Frequent consumption of high-calorie, high-fat foods and beverages-the kind typically found in vending machines-is a major contributor to overweight and obesity.
Making healthy foods available in vending machines- like fruits, vegetables, and low-calories, low-fat snacks and beverages-provides options and creates a healthier environment. This can lead to healthier, more productive employees.

This Eat. Well. Vending Packet will provide you a step-by-step guide on how to start making improvements with healthy vending in your workplace. The healthy vending guidelines will help you provide alternatives to unhealthy food and beverages with added sugars, saturated and trans fat, refined grains, and sodium (e.g. candy, chips, cookies, friend foods, soda, and energy drinks).

Who Can Use This Packet?
Washington County employees work in a variety of settings where vending machines are located. Worksites include:
• Worksites
• Hospitals
• Businesses
• Childcare and after-school care
• Government buildings
• Higher education
• Social service organizations
• Schools and youth programs

Eat. Well. Healthy Vending Guide

To receive Eat. Well. Best Choice promotional materials, please email [email protected]