Healthy Vending: Following the publication this month of the Measuring Up Report by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, the AVA has called upon decision makers to recognise that vending can – and should – be part of a healthy balanced lifestyle.
The AVA’s statement reads:
‘Vending enables 24 hour unattended retailing and, as such, allows for the provision of refreshment, both beverages and food, where other outlets would not be viable, for example shift based workplaces, hospital staff areas and transport hubs. AVA members also operate under a very stringent Quality Standard thus guaranteeing quality and hygiene of any purchases made.
‘The AVA has always advocated and supported healthy balanced lifestyles – facilitated through education and choice. The low proportion of calories purchased through vending outlets (estimated to be <1% of the total average diet), is relevant in the context of discussing obesity. Further, 80% of all purchases made through the vending channel are hot beverages.
‘However, the vending industry is constantly looking at ways it can extend and improve the choice it offers customers. For example in June (11th – 13th) AVEX is taking place at the NEC, Birmingham, where the AVA and its members will be promoting and supporting healthy lifestyles. As part of AVEX a ‘Being Healthy’ conference is also being held by industry expert Gillian White of 24 Vend. Speakers will showcase innovative vending solutions that support health and well being initiatives in a range of settings.
‘The AVA will also welcome BA Culinary Arts Students from the University College Birmingham (UCB) to AVEX, as they present their new products that embrace the concept of ‘healthy vending’. These products, which the students have been developing as part of their final year project, address many consumer concerns for foods in general, including lower salt, fat and sugar, ‘free-from,’ local sourcing, sustainability and environmental responsibility.
‘The AVA would also like to recommend the reintroduction of healthy vending back into schools, in order that Head teachers can regain control over the dietary choices of their students, as opposed to children frequenting local fast food outlets or convenience stores.
‘These are just some of the proactive activities the vending industry is implementing to ensure it continues to meet consumers’ needs and fulfills its place as an important part of a modern lifestyle.’
We’re being referred to in some quarters as ‘the fat man of Europe’…
PV applauds the assertive tone of the AVA’s missive. There’s no reason why fresh, locally sourced, delicious food can’t be served, in pristine condition, to discerning customers, via the medium of a vending machine. We’ve just had a press release from N&W about their new Festival machine, for instance, that allows for various fresh foods to be stored at their required temperatures. (NB other manufacturers offering similar machines to the UK marketplace should let us know: we’ll list your product, as well as linking to it from this story,ED).
So, as they say, ‘we have the technology’. All we need now is a clientele with the will to eat well; but since we’re being referred to in some quarters as ‘the fat man of Europe’, don’t hold your breath.
It’s up to the AVA to come out fighting against the kind of knee-kerk reaction that would see the summary elimination of snacks / bottles / cans machines from institutions like schools, hospitals and so on; and this is a great start. The government outlawed cigarette vending machines in pubs and clubs, but have you seen any evidence that the move achieved anything other than force numerous vending companies to close? Who says it won’t do it to the vending industry again?
*Do you operate machines in hospitals, schools or similar places? Are you under pressure from your customer to remove any of the products you offer? Please let me know: ed****@************ng.com
