1,200 Organizations Register for Healthy Vending Program in 2010:

States, Government Agencies and the Military All Sign Up for Vending Association’s Fit Pick Vending Program

Chicago, IL—Jan. 25 — More than 1,200 organizations from coast-to-coast registered in 2010 for the National Automatic Merchandising Association’s (NAMA) Fit Pick healthy vending program NAMA Executive Vice President and COO Dan Mathews, NCE5 announced today.  According to figures compiled by NAMA, in 2010 1,215 organizations registered for the Fit Pick program including 162 government agencies, 99 schools and school systems, 247 worksites and 573 vending companies.

In discussing the popularity of the program Mathews said, “Across the country and from state-to- state our Fit Pick healthy vending program is sweeping the country.  Not only have states like Tennessee and Mississippi adopted the program, but branches of the military like the Army and Air Force are using the program too.  We’re extremely proud not only of the program but also of the contribution NAMA has made by providing valuable tools that help consumers better understand how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.”

NAMA’s Fit Pick program is designed to educate consumers about products in vending machines that meet specific nutrition standards, and was unveiled nationally by the association in 2008.  The program includes stickers that are placed in front of qualifying products, thin clings that explain the nutrition standard, coin slot stickers and round stickers to help educate consumers as well, and is part of the organization’s Balanced for Life program which is designed to educate consumers about the elements of a balanced diet and the importance of physical activity.

Over the past year there were many highlights for the program including:

• The state of Tennessee mandated that 25% of the products in vending machines located on state property must meet Fit Pick guidelines
• The Mississippi State Department of Health officially adopted the program
• The program was implemented at all fourteen Army installations that provide Advanced Individual Training

Said Mathews, “As part of this program we have distributed more than 139,000 Fit Pick stickers that indicate “better for you” choices.  As a result, more than 27,000 vending machines have now been equipped with our Fit Pick program that helps consumers better understand where different products fit into an overall balanced diet.” 

While the program has been overwhelmingly popular in the U.S., the program is also becoming increasingly popular around the world as well.  According to Mathews, last year the program was adopted in locations in Puerto Rico, Korea and Japan.

Just some of the rave reviews the program has received include: 

“The National Fit Pick Vending Program helps consumers select healthy choices from vending machines. Fit Pick uses standardized sets of nutrition guidelines based on American Heart Association recommendations for a healthy diet, and is available to vending operators nationwide.”

Preventing Chronic Disease, Public Health Research, Practice and Policy, a publication of the Centers for Disease Control

“In 2007, four state agencies piloted a healthy vending program called Fit Pick, developed by the National Automatic Merchandising Association.  These agencies found that it is possible to have a successful, profitable healthier vending program – and keep their colleagues happy!”

            Washington Wellness Resource Center

The Fit Pick site and materials provide a complete, cost effective, step-by-step roadmap for organizations, communities, or vending operators that want to incorporate healthier options in the vending machines, but don’t know how or where to start. 

Barbe West, Executive Director, Community Choices, Washington State

Concluded Mathews, “NAMA created the Balanced for Life and Fit Pick programs because we wanted to be part of the solution, helping consumers everywhere understand the elements of a balanced diet and the importance of physical activity.  It’s so exciting to see our program adopted in so many locations and truly helping the public make smart snacking decisions.”   

NAMA is the national trade association of the food and refreshment vending, coffee service and foodservice management industries including on-site, commissary, catering, & mobile. Its membership is comprised of service companies, equipment manufacturers and suppliers of products and services to operating service companies.  The basic mission of the association, to collectively advance and promote the automatic merchandising and coffee service industries, still guides NAMA today as it did in 1936, the year of the organization’s founding.

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