In this video you will discover…

i) The top 4 ways to reverse obesity. (They are SUPER simple)

ii) The emergence of ______________ about 30 years ago is the biggest cause of obesity today.

iii) Why low-fat diets always fail.

iv) The Coca Cola Conspiracy that nobody talks about.

v) A TON more interesting and useful knowledge that will hopefully give you some perspective on nutrition.

Best In Health,

Sean & Andy

The traditional best practices for vending machine owner/operators are one-dimensional:

1) Place your machine in the highest traffic location you could find

2) Stock it only when absolutely critical (i.e. when everything is almost sold-out)

3) Use the same product mix for the next decade

This is a result of perspective. If you look at a vending machine and see only a machine then you’re not thinking outside of the box.

However, if you look at your vending machine and see a launch pad for an evolving and optimized product mix, then suddenly it becomes so much more than a machine.  Instead of a vending machine you now see an Automated Healthy Snack Store.

What is the best way to turn this new perspective on your vending machine into tangible results (i.e. more CASH?):

#1: Change Up The Items In Your Machines

This isn’t an earth-shattering revelation.  We’re sure you already know this.  But, how often do you do it? Do you track the sales of each product-type?  Even if you have tested and worked to arrive at the product mix you have now, it’s a good idea to continue to feature new healthy snacks and drinks. Variety is the spice of life!

#2: Do A Give-Away Promotion

i) Place a bright-colored sticker on the back of one of your products.

ii) Affix a flyer to the front of your machine that makes it loud and clear that if a sticker of that color is found on the back of a product, then “You Are A Winner! Go To The Front Desk To Collect Your Prize!”.

iii) Make sure the front desk has an enticing prize waiting for your customer.  Recommendations: Gift-cards, H.U.M.A.N.  Clothing, Cash, or anything else you can think of that has value!

iv) Promote your Give Away via word-of-mouth.  Chat up your regulars and they’ll spread the word for you!

If communicated well, the cost of the prize will be DWARFED by your increase in profits.

#3: Automate Your Customer Feedback

You are a marketer of healthy snacks and drinks. What is the most valuable information you need to know? The wants and needs of your customers, of course.  While taking time to talk with your customers and hold sampling events to get their feedback is very effective, you can also save time by placing  a comment box on your machine via double-sided tape or Velcro strips with a small sign that reads “Healthy Snack Request”.  Be sure to include small slips of paper and a pencil/pen.

There are many other ways to increase your profits. Take a step back and evaluate your business on a regular basis.  Think outside of the box and don’t lose sight of the most important thing: providing a high-level of service to your customers!

Best In Health,

Sean & Andy

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Automated Marketing

While you’re in the mindset of thinking about marketing your own healthy vending business, this article from MathMarketing.com is a great commentary on automated marketing.  Take the manual labor out of scaling your business by creating automated systems wherever possible.  This can be done without sacrificing high quality customer service.

http://www.mathmarketing.com/blog/marketing-plan-to-help-you-grow-quickly-and-efficiently

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Speaking of perspective, Sebastian Thrun, a Professor of Computer Sciences at Stanford, has taken a radical perspective about changing something we all do quite often…

“That isn’t lunch!” I couldn’t help but holler as the fourth girl came into my room with a slushy and a cookie.  As a former middle school teacher and a health conscious individual, I trembled at the items I saw students eating every day at lunch.  Many of my fifth grade girls would skip the school lunch program (which has enough nutritional trouble of its own) and go straight to the snack bar or vending machine. Ostensibly, this was so they would eat less and not gain weight. However, they obviously had no idea what kind of food would do their body good and thus usually made terrible decisions. Cinnamon twists. Push-ups. Root beer. Chocolate muffins. And they really had no idea. “This is healthy, isn’t it, Ms. Flaherty?” they would ask me innocently.  They wanted to eat good lunches; they simply didn’t know how.  They didn’t even know they didn’t know. Needless to say, we had a few nutrition lessons in English class that year, and I want to spread some of those lessons to the wider public.  Ask your child what they eat at school, and help them make better decisions by educating them and yourself about what is beneficial. If your school has no healthy options, something has to change!

The terrors of school vending machines are not limited to these seven snacks, but hopefully this will teach you what to look for and get you thinking about new options. Healthy snacks aren’t just carrot sticks in a Ziploc anymore; they give the old junk a run for its money in taste and fun.  I’ll compare the calories, fat grams, carbs, sugars, and protein for each treat.

Bad Cheetos, Good Pirates

Burning Tongue? More Like Burning Your Wallet

Let’s start with my fourth graders’ favorite snack: Flamin’ Hot Crunchy Cheetos. Now, a serving size of Cheetos is 1 oz, but who eats less than the whole bag?  Vending machine bag size is 2 oz, but I’ve seen students bring the 8 oz version and chow half to all of it, with a few handfuls given out to friends. Here are the stats for 2 oz; you can do the math for the rest.

Calories: 340

From fat: 200

Total fat: 22 g

Carbs: 30

Sugar: 0

Protein: 2 g

The killer here is the fat: 58.8% of the calories in this food are from fat. Although the bag boasts “Og Trans Fat,” there is still plenty of the other kinds to do damage.

Puffing Never Tasted So Good

To still get that cheesy crunch, consider trying Pirate’s Booty ® natural snack products. For this comparison, we’ll use the Aged White Cheddar crisped corn puffs. Along with having all natural ingredients and being sold in a 1 oz package (to encourage moderation), these don’t pack nearly the junk punch that Cheetos do.  I’ve put what 2 oz looks like in parenthesis to make comparing easier.

Calories:  130 (260)

From fat: 45 (90 – less than half!)

Total fat: 5g (10g – less than half!)

Carbs: 19g (38g)

Sugars: 0g

Protein: 2g (4g)

Not only do the calories from fat decrease from 58.8% to 34.6%, but the protein also doubles.  Eating protein with carbohydrates helps keep you fuller longer and less likely to experience a short-lived sugar spike, so it’s always a good idea.

Bad Suzy Q, Good Brownie Bar

Want Diabetes?

If salty isn’t your craving, you might turn instead to one of the ubiquitous cake, cream, and frosting creations that populate the shelves of every place convenience snacks are found. Whether its rolled, round, striped, or spotted, beware!  The high sugar, high-refined flour and total absence of substance will lead to a quick high and a hard crash. One Suzy Q Hostess Chocolate Cake with Cream Filling is a good example.

Calories: 230

From fat: 81

Total fat: 9g

Carbs: 35g

Sugar: 22g

Protein: 2g

Indulge Your Sweet Tooth

Instead try a Chocolate Brownie Clif bar or a Caramel Nut Brownie Luna Bar.  They are both much higher in protein and have fewer calories from fat.  Here is the full breakdown for one Luna bar.

Calories: 180

From fat: 50

Total fat: 6g

Carbs: 27g

Sugar: 12g

Protein: 8g

Cutting the sugar and quadrupling the protein makes this a snack worth you won’t regret and still give you those health benefits of chocolate you crave.

Bad Pop Tarts, Good Kashi

The Only Thing Popping Will Be Your Belly

Since Pop Tarts’ advent as a “breakfast food,” hundreds of thousands of people have sacrificed the most important meal of the day for garbage. Of course, lots of food that’s sold in the morning should hardly be classified as anything but a dessert — donuts, muffins, pancakes with syrup and whipped cream – but that’s a tangent. Although a serving size is technically one pastry, as with Cheetos, I assume most people eat the two that come in the bag. So let’s look at the nutritional info for 2 strawberry Pop Tarts.

Calories: 400

From Fat: 90

Total fat: 10g

Carbs: 76g

Sugar: 38g

Protein: 4g

Whooee! A whopping 76 grams of carbohydrates are the source of most of the calories here, and the paltry amount of protein is hardly enough to off-set it. Although it may feel a little less sweet than, say, a chocolate Suzy Q cream cake, notice it actually has 16 more grams of sugar!

Who Says Flaking Tastes Bad?

If you must eat breakfast on the go, grab a Kashi cereal bar. They are made with 7 whole grains (best source of carbs!), 3 grams of fiber, and real fruit (much better than that processed strawberry stuff in Pop Tarts). They also compare pretty well in the facts, even if you have two (data for 2 in parenthesis).

Calories: 110 (220)

From fat: 25 (50)

Total fat: 3g (6)

Carbs: 21g (42)

Sugar: 9g (18 – less than half!)

Protein: 2g (4)

Bad Cookies, Good Cookies

All Cookies Aren't Created Equal

As you have been reading through this list, you may have been dreading I would finger your  (or your child’s) favorite, irreplaceable snack, and although crushed, you knew there was no way to avoid still having it. What could ever be as good as a chocolate chip cookie, for instance?  Well, how about a chocolate chip cookie?  Sometimes it’s not the snack you choose, but the brand you buy that makes the difference.

Many vending machines carry the famous Famous Amos Chocolate Chip Cookies. A serving size is 4 cookies, but as with most junk foods, a bag always contains more than one serving. Multiply the following facts based on how many you usually eat.

Calories: 150

From fat: 60

Total fat: 7g

Carbs: 20g

Sugar: 9g

Protein: 1g

On the other hand Barbara’s Bakery Chocolate Chip Snackimals, while perhaps not quite as gooey, are very tasty and much better for you. They’re even completely natural, as all Barbara’s Bakery products are.

Calories: 120

From fat: 35

Total fat: 4g

Carbs: 19g

Sugar: 8g

Protein: 1g

Don’t grab a Snickers!

People Will Snicker Alright

The number one, hottest selling vending machine snack is the Snickers bar. I myself have opted for it when everything in the machine is junk. My reasoning: at least there are peanuts so there must be some protein.  Plus, it’s delicious!  However, it’s still packed with stuff I really don’t want to eat.

A regular 2 oz bar (not a King Size) has the following nutritional value (or lack thereof).

Calories: 280

From fat: 126

Total fat: 14g

Carbs: 35g

Sugar: 30g

Protein: 4g

Although it does have slightly more protein than your average treat, the off-the-charts fat and sugar probably neutralize any benefit I would have gotten from it.

Organic Energy in a Bar

The Clif brand makes a number of products that you may want to try for substitutions. The brownie bar (mentioned in the Suzy Q section) and this chocolate chip peanut crunch energy bar are good places to start. I think this one only comes in the Mini size.

Calories: 110

From fat 25

Total fat: 2.5g

Carbs: 17g

Sugar: 9g

Protein: 5g

Less than half the badness in every category, and still beats Snickers on protein!

Bad Twix, Good Larabar

The Worst Candy Bar Out There

If you’re not the one that goes for the nutty Snickers, Twix may be your siren. Unfortunately, the facts are almost exactly the same, with a little less protein.

Calories: 280

From fat: 126

Total fat: 14g

Carbs: 37g

Sugar: 27g

Protein: 3g

If You Must Get Your Sweet Stuff...

Larabars come in a variety of flavors, depending on your need: Cashew Cookie, Chocolate Coconut Chew, Cherry Pie, and so on. Organic and developed for your health, these are a good choice. I’ve picked the coconut chew for comparison purposes.

Calories: 220

From fat: 110

Total fat: 12g

Carbs: 24g

Sugar: 18g

Protein: 5g

Keep in mind it’s not just the numbers that matter. For instance, you may think this is pretty high in fat, but it’s important to consider the source of the fat. In the case of Larabar, it’s mostly almonds and walnuts that spike the calories from fat. In the case of Twix, I’m guessing it’s partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, milk and cream, and other processed fatty things you don’t want to think about.  And remember: LaraBar still beats Twix in every category by a long shot.

When You Want to Punch, Switch!

Liquid Obesity in a Bottle

Finally, for the drinkers among our children, we turn to a thirst-quenching snack. As the staggering caloric load of a triple mocha has taught some of us, we can drink junk as easily as eat it.  A student who is thirsty may innocently turn to a 20 oz Hawaiian Punch: it’s red, so maybe it’s juice, right?  Wrong!

Calories: 300

From fat: 0

Total fat: 0g

Carbs: 75g

Sugar: 72.5g

Protein: 0g

As you can see, Hawaiian Punch is straight sugar, in the form of high fructose corn syrup. In fact, the ingredients are, and I quote, “WATER, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP AND 2% OR LESS OF EACH OF THE FOLLOWING [juice concentrates].” Don’t be deceived by the claim that it’s made with “7 natural juices” – a dollop of nature can’t fix a boatload of chemicals.

Who Says Health Can't Taste Great?

Switch brand carbonated juices are the way to go when your kid wants a cool, refreshing beverage. For starters, there is NO high fructose corn syrup; in fact, all their products are 100% juice and carry a lot of Vitamin C. That’s a bit more natural. The cans are 8.3 oz and the bottles are 8, so there’s also less chance of overdosing on simple sugars. Here are the facts for a can (8.3 oz).

Calories: 120

Total fat: 0g

Total Carb: 30g

Sugar: 29g

Protein: 0g

Now You Know

After 7, I’m sure the idea is clear: look for fewer calories, more protein, more natural ingredients, and moderation. Teach your kids and students to be mindful of what they eat. A snack should be a snack – something small to tie one over for a real meal – not a substitute for a meal or another entire meal. Really, the children aren’t the ones to blame. If they had healthier options, perhaps, or more knowledge, they could make better choices. As responsible adults in their lives we should fight for them to have those choices and know what to do with them.

Check us out! We were featured on the new health-conscious TV series “LunchNYC“.  “LunchNYC” premiered in October 2010 on NYC Life, which is a subsidiary of NYC Media, the official TV, radio and online network of NYC.

From the website:

“Throughout the 12-episode series “LunchNYC” will introduce viewers to a wide variety of health-conscious individuals, organizations, and events in New York City, and will provide information on how children and adults alike can eat and live healthily in NYC.

From urban farming to organic food carts, tips for quick stretches to which chocolate to choose, “LunchNYC” utilizes the resources of New York City to create a cross section picture of the great things happening in food and health reform in our city!”

We are honored to be have been featured and we look forward to continuing our growth in NYC, and the rest of the United States!

To watch the rest of the episode visit the NYC.gov website.

In an interview with SlashFood, Jaime Oliver talks about bringing his Food Revolution to Los Angeles….whether they want him or not.

He has already been denied access by L.A. School Officials, but is determined to make Los Angeles his next destination for his hit TV show.  When asked about the rebuttal by school officials Oliver replied, “If I really want to get in, I’ll get in, however that might be.”

We say bring him on!  Jamie you could do A LOT of good in the Los Angeles School District, and provide much needed exposure for childhood obesity.

Check out the full interview below.

Part 1 Below:

Part 2 Below:

Part 3 Below:

Read more: http://www.slashfood.com/2010/11/23/jamie-oliver-warns-l-a-hes-on-his-way/#ixzz16F15jihy

The internal PC computer keeps your machine on the cutting edge by seamlessly integrating the latest software updates with the machine’s remote monitoring system, and credit card reader. Them Media Mogul’s Eco-friendly design uses 50% less energy than standard vending machines, and it’s strategically-placed infrared sensors refuse to allow misvends and vending errors.

The increased versatility allowed by the conveyor belt dispensing technology, and the larger capacity allows you to stock 40% more of our over 5,000 options.

Hot and Delicious

This refrigerated food and snack machine serve delicious HOT meals, as well as snacks. Great for any location that needs nutritious meals on-the-go.

Technology and Reliability, The Apprentice

The Apprentice features all the capabilities of the Media Mogul, without the LCD screen.

The internal PC computer keeps your machine on the cutting edge by seamlessly integrating the latest software updates with the machine’s remote monitoring system, and credit card reader. The Apprentice’s Eco-friendly design uses 50% less energy than standard vending machines, and it’s strategically-placed infrared sensors refuse to allow misvends and vending errors.

The increased versatility allowed by the conveyor belt dispensing technology, and the larger capacity allows you to stock 40% more of our over 5,000 options.

We Can't Let America's Students Starve

America is the richest country in the world, so why is hunger such a huge problem?  Poverty is the number one cause of hunger and with nearly 40 million Americans living below the poverty line, it’s no wonder so many of our neighbors are going without.  Over 14% of Americans are “food insecure” and adults are not the only ones skipping meals.  Recent studies show about 13 million kids are living below the poverty line and 16 million are living in food insecure households.  These families likely don’t eat at every meal or when they do eat, their plates are not filled with well-rounded, nutritious foods.  When these kids go off to school, their parents are unable to send a bag lunch with them or give them money for a hot lunch from the cafeteria.   Poverty and hunger have been around for a long time so this is not a new problem. In fact, there has been a solution of sorts in place for decades.

Government’s Role

The National School Lunch Program was signed into law in 1946 by President Harry S. Truman in an effort to provide free or low cost meals to qualified (low income) students through government subsidies.  This program was so successful -- both in feeding America’s youth and boosting food prices by passing off surpluses to schools -- that it spawned the Child Nutrition Act.   This federal law was signed in 1966 by President Lyndon B. Johnson and established the National School Breakfast Program as well as implemented nutrition standards for school meals.  Each day these programs serve over 30 million students in 101,000 schools nationwide.

Reality Check

These school meal programs operate at a cost of nearly $9 billion, which sounds like a lot but in reality, that only affords a school about $1 per student per day.   You can’t buy anything for a dollar these days, especially a well-rounded, healthy meal.   School lunches have deteriorated into a slop of reheated processed junk that has little to no nutritional value.   Chef, author and fresh food “activist,” Jamie Oliver started his Food Revolution in England then brought his campaign across the pond in 2010. His goal was to transform the US school lunch menu from serving processed simple carbs and fats to serving fresh meats and veggies.   Starting at the elementary school level, he won over reluctant school administrators and students who, as it turns out, would eat healthy foods if they were put in front of them.   Jamie marched his way up to high school where students actually chose fresh, healthy foods over processed junk.  The real problem faced by the Food Revolution was funding. Although it’s possible to work with local farmers and distributors and get fresh foods at a discount, it simply cannot be done with the current level of funding. But there is hope on the horizon.

Farm To Fork

Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act

Legislation is in Congress right now that would give schools $4.5 billion over the next 10 years to modify school cafeteria menus by establishing healthier guidelines.  Part of the Child Nutrition Act, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act reauthorizes child nutrition programs by authorizing the Secretary of Agriculture to establish nutrition standards.  Schools will also be reimbursed more per meal.  This bill is currently sitting in the House of Representatives after being unanimously approved by the Senate.  First Lady, Michelle Obama, is a major proponent of this legislation since it is a huge part of her Let’s Move campaign which encourages kids to exercise, eat right and be healthier.  Mrs. Obama’s goal is to end childhood obesity within one generation.  This type of law could help our kids reach that goal. If this bill passes, it could mark the end of the school vending machine era.  No longer would kids be able to get a sugary soda or bag of greasy potato chips for lunch.  Schools may be forced to remove the standard vending machines.  What happens next is up to us.

The Future of Our Kids

Parents Shouldn't Have To Worry About Nutrition At School

Some schools have already voluntarily removed standard vending machines and have seen dramatic results in students’ attention spans and behavior.  An option for schools now is the healthy vending machine which offers non-processed, organic snacks and all-natural drinks like milk, juice and water.  When kids see what choices are available apart from the usual junk food fare, they will eat better, grow stronger and learn better.   Healthy kids turn into healthy adults. Parents can join together to encourage their kids’ schools to remove these snack machines and replace them with a healthier option.   Parents can also set an example by eating better themselves and not keeping junk food in the house. Kids pay close attention to what adults do as well as what they say.  If schools and parents lead by example, our kids have a bright future.

Bolthouse Farms has partnered with “A Bunch of Carrot Farmers” (50 actually) to boost sales of their already popular baby carrots.  The partners have laid down an initial investment of $25 million to change to the image of baby carrots. For their new marketing campaign, the carrot farmers have tapped ideas from their junk food rivals that include, among other things; sex, action sports, and special effects.  Baby carrots will be sold in new “junk food packaging” and the web is flooded with Youtube videos of crazy, carrot inspired stunts.  They have even launched an iPhone game called Xrtreme Xrunch Kart where players perform carrot related tricks while riding around on a shopping card. Players are encouraged to, “Crunch into actual baby carrots near your mic to unleash unholy speed bursts and perform XTREME aerial tricks. Wicked!” Sounds like fun.

The new packaging is currently in a testing state, and it is too early to tell if the marketing campaign will be successful.  We hope it blows away the competition and convinces everyone to “indulge the most tasteful of your taste buds” with baby carrots, instead of junk food.