By Emily Refermat, Editor
Operators providing branded vending machines from some of the
most recognized healthy vending franchises and suppliers share
their secrets of a niche segment that the traditional vending
industry regards with skepticism.
n recent years, the request for
healthy products and location
wellness programs has dra-
matically increased from the busi-
ness and industry sectors as well as
schools and government facilities.
NAMA launched FitPick in 2005 to
help member operators fnd products
designated better-for-you and before
that it had a program called Balanced
for Life.
In today's environment, operators
are searching for good-tasting prod-
ucts that meet nutrition requirements
either for schools or community-
based wellness programs. The con-
cept of healthy vending has continued
to grow, and that includes healthy
vending companies.
Within the legacy industry of
vending, those suppliers, franchis-
ers and vendors that label themselves
"healthy" have a negative reputation.
Ever since they were frst introduced
10 years ago, healthy vending fran-
chises have been called fads or scams
by many people in the traditional
vending business. Oftentimes they
are cited as displacing traditional
vending operators and offering prod-
ucts that are debatably healthy.
Despite skepticism from traditional
vending operators, healthy vending
franchises continue to grow and gain
locations. The combined factors of
additional better-for-you products
in retail and more locations looking
for wellness-focused solutions have
no doubt helped operators who run
I
HEALTHY
Inside the
››
VENDING
BUSINESS
24 Automatic Merchandiser VendingMarketWatch.com April 2015
C O V E R S T O R Y