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Darr said 50 of the campus’s 250 soda machines also enhance the aesthetic environment after the operator agreed to customize the fronts with pictures of the university grounds.
Darr said vending sales have increased recently as a result of the machines being able to accept campus ID cards for payments.
VENDING HELPS WITH NUTRITION NEEDS
In many secondary schools, vending machines have helped foodservice directors meet nutrition requirements. When the obesity epidemic first began making headlines in 2003, many public officials blamed vending for making kids fat. Since then, more districts have recognized vending as a tool to help educate kids about nutrition.
“We all know that access causes one to choose or not to choose (a particular product),” said Anita Finch, director of nutrition services for the Seattle, Wash. Schools. “It’s our job as educators to be gatekeepers.”
Baptist Hospital System, based in Jacksonville, Fla., operates four hospitals with 4,400 employees in South Florida. Vending is very important to the emergency room staff and other employees who work when the main cafeteria is closed. Several years ago, a hospital dietitian worked with the vending operator on a wellness program.
While the hospital gets a commission from the vending, Scott Kleier, general manager of dining service, insisted that the commission is not a top priority and he would never switch providers on account of commission. Kleier places a lot of value on the relationship.
