h.u.m.a.n. Healthy Vending Machines

Back in my youth (circa 1998), I use to get out of study hall, to join other students and a teacher while we helped stock the school’s vending machines. We had easy-access to boxes of indulgent candy bars and cases sugary sodas. At the end of the hour, we were rewarded with a treat of our choice. That was obviously the draw. Then I would go home and have an after-school snack, too. It’s not surprising that at the end of my senior year, I had piled on fifteen pounds. My bad eating habits also caused me to gain an additional thirty-five pounds my first year out of high school. Not surprising, right?

How different would things have been if my school and that teacher had given us more options? Healthy options. h.u.m.a.n. Healthy Vending (HERE) is doing just that for today’s youth. For over five years, they have been stocking vending machines everywhere with affordable and healthy options for meals and snacking. These vending machines are filled with granola bars, protein bars and powders, premium waters, organic juices, an assortment of nuts and granola, and even dietary supplements. Through on-location surveys, demographical analysis and prior experience, h.u.m.a.n. supplies the vending machines with a specific product mix that best suits each location. The vending machines are showing up in offices, businesses, gyms and you guessed it … schools.



On average, students consume 33% to 50% of their daily caloric intake at school. Most busy parents don’t have the time to pack their students a healthy lunch, so they grab something from the school. H.u.m.a.n. healthy vending machines give students easy access to healthy food and drinks throughout the entire school day. The machines make healthy options a no-brainer for today’s youth. The convenient vending machines make it easy for a student athlete to grab an enhanced sports drink or power bar before or after practice. They will perform better at practice.

These vending machines also address the needs for so many children that have special dietary needs or allergies. The vending machines are stocked with items that are 100% organic, gluten-free, allergen-free, low-fat, low-carb and have no-sugar added. That means that no one is left out. Being a kid is hard enough, but it is especially hard for a child with special dietary needs. No one wants to be labeled as “different” or be embarrassed for passing on snack time. I have a child who is hyperactive, and making sure that she limits her sugar intake is very important to her daily success at home … and in the classroom.

Have a picky eater? I do, too. H.u.m.a.n. healthy vending machines have already thought about your picky eater. They stock their vending machines with all items spicy and sweet, crunchy and soft, you name it. Have a child that only loves potato chips? Have them give pita chips a try. Do they prefer sugary sodas? Have them substitute an all-natural soda.

With two young children of my own, I’ve tried to show them how to make healthy eating options and how to incorporate activity into every single day. We all have our times to indulge (sure), but everyday snacking and meal options should be healthy. Healthy fruit options should be colorful (and I’m not talking the vibrant wrappers and or added neon colors). Snack bars should be packed full of natural ingredients and protein (not sugar and caramel). The machines are educating our youth. Each h.u.m.a.n. program launch includes an educational component that is designed to develop loyal and high-value customers. The h.u.m.a.n. healthy vending machines are helping schools, and parents, promote better health, happiness and performance to our children. Our future. Our healthy future.