Healthy vending machines not a hit with the kiddies

With the push for a healthier and more nutritious school lunch, one thing still rings true: kids will eat crap when given the chance. In an effort by one regional school, vending machines with offerings like apples and hummus with veggies are being passed over in favor of potato chips. An article in The New York Times discusses how schools have been trying to make a difference in what kids eat during the day. But as the old adage goes, you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink. Maybe the best option is to remove the machines that have the chips leaving no choice but a healthy one? Food for thought.

See the excerpt below.

Schools Dangle Carrot Snacks, but It’s a Tough Sale
By WINNIE HU
Published: October 3, 2011

COMMACK, N.Y. — The new vending machine sat unnoticed as students rushed past its baby carrots, yogurt smoothies and hummus to neighbors dispensing Snapple, Doritos, Goldfish and Cheez-It. The lunch period was nearly over before a potential customer stopped to check out its offerings.

No sale.

“This is way too healthy for a snack,” said John Achnitz, 15, a 10th grader. “Kids want healthy stuff like baked Doritos, but not an apple that they can get at home free.”

Like many schools across the nation, Commack High School on Long Island is stepping up its war on junk food this year. Its new cafeteria vending machine — a lighted panel on the front shows sliced apples and oranges against a backdrop of lettuce — is part of a pilot program intended to encourage students who skip lunch or stay late for sports to make better choices.

“By fostering healthy snack vending options, we support the lessons that are taught in the classroom and at home,” said Donald A. James, the superintendent of schools.
But so far, potato chips are winning.

Commack’s healthy machine sold 296 items totaling $388.75 from Sept. 1 to Sept. 19, less than one-third of the sales made by a nearby machine that offers less nutritious fare. Moreover, the top-selling item from the new machine was baked potato chips — less fat than fried chips, but less than ideal — with almost no takers for peach smoothies, roasted edamame or fresh pineapple chunks.

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Image courtesy of The New York Times.

Comments

[Brenda]

I like the idea of healthy snack vending options.