CHICAGO – August 6, 2015 – NAMA announced today that Los Angeles County, California recently released a new set of micro market guidelines, a document that is the result of a collaborative effort by the California Automatic Vending Council (CAVC), NAMA’s Sandra Larson and the L.A. County Environmental Health Department.
CAVC and L.A. County health officials have been working together on industry issues since 2011, first on vending permits and most recently on the micro market guidelines.
“With the micro market concept rapidly expanding, CAVC members welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with county officials in establishing food safety standards that protect consumers and allow operators to grow their businesses,” said Sandra Larson, NAMA Senior Director of Government Affairs. “A positive working relationship was forged from information-sharing, operator site visits and several meetings, resulting in a set of guidelines both our members and the department are pleased with. We are thankful for the opportunity to work together on this, and hope to continue this valuable relationship in the future.”
“The working relationship established with the LA County Environmental Health Department is a wonderful example of proactive grassroots advocacy,” said Rawn Wanamaker, Regional Vice President, California Region of Canteen Corporation and CAVC Board Member. “The group worked to educate the county about what a micro market is and how it operates, and the officials truly listened and learned. We hope this experience will foster similar advocacy results across the country.”
"We value our relationship with NAMA and its membership,” said Angelo Bellomo, Director of Environmental Health, L.A. County Department of Public Health. “As new trends and proposed changes in the food system emerge, this relationship has proved vital to support innovation while maintaining basic food safety protections. We appreciate NAMA's knowledge of the industry and its commitment to ensuring food safety is at the center of proposed reforms they bring to the Department for review."
A link to the L.A. County Micro Market Guidelines can be found on this page: http://www.namavoice.org/state-issues/micro-markets
Founded in 1936, NAMA is the association representing the $25 billion U.S. vending and refreshment service industry. With more than 1250 member companies – including many of the world’s most recognized brands – NAMA provides advocacy, education and research for its membership. Visit NAMA on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
