Vending machines and school stores may be an important revenue source for schools. These also help to ensure food is available at school, which may deter students from leaving the school grounds.
The General Nutrition Information can be used to inform products to sell in vending machines and school stores.
Some vending machines require room temperature shelf stable products that fit within the coil rings. This may limit the food options which can be placed in these machines.
Choosing Local
There are several B.C.-based food and beverage businesses with products suitable for vending machines and school stores retail including granola bars, energy bars, nut mixes, dried meat, and fruit juices. You may wish to ask your vending provider for a list of B.C.-based options they can provide, or check out the Feed BC Directory – a searchable B.C. food and beverage product database for commercial and institutional buyers.
Nutrition Suggestions for Vending Machines and Schools Stores
Schools can work with their vendors to find foods and beverages that are more nutritious by looking at the products’ Nutrition Facts Table to see if one serving size meets the following for the % Daily Value (DV):
| Saturated fat | Sugars | Sodium |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 15% DV | Less than 15% DV | Less than 15% DV |
If the food or beverage is less than 15% for all 3 nutrients (saturated fat, sugars and sodium) the food is considered a Serve Frequently food.
Some products may slightly exceed the % Daily Value for one or more nutrient but are still a good choice because these foods offer other nutrients that support healthy growth and development such as fibre and protein. These products are typically nut, fruit, or whole grain based. Examples include:
- Fig and oat bars (might slightly exceed %DV for sugar)
- Mixed nuts and bars with nuts (might slightly exceed %DV for saturated fat)
- Popcorn and whole grain chips (might slightly exceed % DV for sodium)
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