The AVA has announced a unique partnership with one of the UK’s newest and most ambitious universities, University College Birmingham, (UCB).
The partnership will see students developing innovative healthy eating concepts specifically for vending.
Healthy Eating
‘A trip to the supermarket demonstrates that ‘healthy eating’ is an increasingly important part of the modern lifestyle’, said AVA CEO Jonathan Hilder. ‘More and more space on supermarket shelves is occupied by products offering healthy food choices and we in vending have to acknowledge that trend and make sure we have the products on sale to satisfy this increasing demand.’
On a mission to make a difference, the AVA contacted UCB and a series of meetings culminated in the creation of a New Product Development module within the university’s BA (Hons) Culinary Arts Management degree programme. The module requires students to create food and packaging concepts for 6 different vending markets.
Visitors to AVEX will see the benefits of the AVA:UCB partnership
‘To succeed, the students are required to consider the issues of the day, such as obesity, recycling of packaging, allergens and Government regulations regarding salt and sugar levels’, Jonathan said. The fruits of all this academic activity will be judged – and shown – at AVEX 2013. Jonathan believes that visitors to AVEX will be quick to see the benefits of the burgeoning partnership. ‘We very much hope that this innovative approach will help the industry to develop new products that satisfy the growing consumer trends towards healthier eating’, he said.
Students will work to develop new products to address consumer demands in several key vending areas, including B&I, Education, Healthcare; Leisure, Staff Catering and Transport. ‘In each of these six areas, packaging will highlight the importance of the current recycling criteria, as well as show product ingredients and energy details’, Jonathan explained.
There’s huge potential in the vending industry
‘There’s huge potential in the vending industry for creating and delivering healthy eating options and this new module will give our students hands-on knowledge.’ Bernhard Schumacher
Bernhard Schumacher is Culinary Arts Lecturer and Module leader at University College Birmingham, (not to mention one hell of a pastry chef), and he’s enthusiastic about the partnership. ‘There’s huge potential in the vending industry for creating and delivering healthy eating options and this new module will give our students hands-on knowledge’, he said. ‘They see the module as important platform for them to showcase their skills to potential employers. We’re all delighted to be working with the AVA on this initiative and we’re hoping it’s a partnership that will develop over the years.’
Interested in Healthy Vending? 24 Vend’s Gillian White writes for PV, click here.
