Vending healthy drinks is good for school pupils and budget, says food watchdog

Schools vending machines that dispense healthier products are
popular with pupils and can still be profitable if properly
managed, says new guidance from the Food Standards Agency.

Medium sized secondary schools currently earn £10,000 to
£15,000 a year profit from drink vending machines, the
document says.
Research indicates that one in four English schoolchildren are
overweight or obese, with sugar intake well above recommended
levels, much of it due to fizzy drink consumption.

Insufficient calcium is another concern, and there is a big
“hole in the market” for manufacturers to develop milk
products, says the guidance.

An FSA pilot study into healthier vending machines found that
milk products proved to be “best sellers” with
pupils.

The study showed that children will buy water, fruit juice and
milk products from vending machines if given the choice, and a that
good profit can still be made if the scheme is well managed.

Products sell better when displayed at eye level and prices
should be ranged to suit all pockets, perhaps with most items
priced at 35p to 55p, up to a maximum of £1, says the
guidance.

Vending machines should be put in or near the dining area, with
litter bins nearby. The machines should be suitable for the
product, and kept clean, well-stocked and properly maintained.

The DfES recommends that drinking water should be available,
free of charge, to all pupils, every day.

Guidance on healthy vending machines is at:
http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/vendingmachinebooklet.pdf

Guidance on free water supplies in schools is at:

http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/wholeschool/library/hydrationpolicies/

and
http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/wholeschool/healthyliving/foodanddrink/drinkingwater/