Fresh Healthy VendingFresh Vending Food

This week is officially known as National Small Business Week, a week dedicated to recognizing the contributions that small businesses make in America. In fact, the U.S. Small Business Administration reports that there are 27.2 million small businesses in this country. In addition, it is estimated that small businesses create 60-80 percent of all new jobs in the nation. Fresh Healthy Vending is one company that has helped many other small business owners see their dream come to fruition.

We have had a great year and are proud to have contributed to this years small business growth  and added job opportunities, explains Jolly Backer, chief executive officer of Fresh Healthy Vending (http://www.freshvending.com). We have made it simple and affordable for people to become their own small business owner through our popular franchising program.

Fresh Healthy Vending entered the scene by offering a new twist on an old concept. They took the traditional vending machine and filled it entirely with healthy foods and drinks. This concept has been popular with those looking to start their own franchise, as well as with consumers who are seeking healthy food options on the run. To date, over 600 Fresh Healthy Vending machines have been established across the country, and the rate shows no signs of slowing.

The vending machines used by Fresh Healthy Vending franchisors are dual-climate and are stocked with a variety of healthy food options, including everything from healthy beverages to yogurt, soymilk and fresh fruits and vegetables. By giving people the ability to franchise, Fresh Healthy Vending has created small business opportunities for people across the country.

Those who are interested in setting up a small business that provides healthy on-the-go snacks will likely have success at setting up the machines in shopping malls, hospitals, college campuses, health clubs,  and other such  public areas.

Fresh Healthy Vending helps these small business entrepreneurs be successful, because it provides them with comprehensive training and support, marketing and sales reporting tools, and the benefits of the companys marketing and public relations efforts.

We look forward to helping more small business owners get started and become successful, adds Backer. Franchising is easy, and it makes entrepreneurship less risky. Its really a win-win situation in the small business sector.

Those interested in learning more about franchising opportunities can find additional information at http://www.freshvending.com.

When 14-year-old Taylor LeBaron was teased by a classmate for having a “double chin,” he didn’t go home and wallow in self-pity or become depressed and gain another fifty pounds to add to his already hefty 300-pound weight. Instead, LeBaron decided to do something about it. The teenager from Georgia employed his knowledge and love of video games to create a weight loss system. Now 17 years old, LeBaron is half the weight and has authored his own book, titled “Cutting Myself in Half: How I Lost 150 Pounds One Byte at a Time.” He also has his very own fat burning system – “The Ultimate Fitness Game.”

Says LeBaron, “you have enemies, you have allies, and you have money. You have to play smart; otherwise, you run out of your money. Your score needs to be high at the end of the day… When I get a new videogame, one of the first things I do is check out the opponents to see what I’m up against. When I know the enemies, I can create a plan of attack.” After realizing the analogy between the game of life and a video game, LeBaron used his love of gaming to further the analogy, noting five key “enemies” of physical fitness leading to weight loss:

Inactivity
Food Choices
Large Portions
Liquid Calories
Stress

By identifying and targeting these “enemies,” LeBaron was able to lose 150 pounds. Now that many schools are starting to use fresh healthy vending, fresh vending could easily be one of the methods used to defeat “fitness enemies.” Fresh vending replaces unhealthy snacking options with better choices. Instead of a coke, look for fresh healthy vending and pick up a fruit smoothie or 100% juice. Fresh vending also has food options – rather than reaching for that candy bar, try some apple crisps or banana soy pudding. By using fresh vending, you can fight three of the physical fitness “enemies” – food choices, portion control, and liquid calories. You may even reduce your stress by being able to relax in the knowledge that you’re making smart decisions for your body even when you’re buying snacks from a vending machine.

LeBaron’s system isn’t just for teenagers, though it is targeted at the younger generation. Following in her son’s footsteps, LeBaron’s mother has lost 75 pounds, and his grandmother has lost 45 pounds. Try LeBaron’s game plan with healthy vending and start playing the game of life like a winner.

Fresh healthy vending food to replace junk food in schools? If you give it a thought, this would be a great idea. But the question is– will students jump into this idea? Nation’s best-known organic-food companies are making all the effort to capitalize on the anti-junk food movement in schools. Some schools made their move in introducing kids to a different and healthy lifestyle at school. They added a fresh healthy vending food machine that instead of coke, pepsi, candy bars and chips, is stocked with soy chips, rice bars and low fat organic yogurt.

Many students who are health conscious and been raised in a healthy way can cope and are willing to spend more for the healthy snacks, and it is now catching on but there are still hold-outs amongst the kids as Michael Lonardo, a sophomore student who tried and apple-carrot juice said, “I just can’t see kids wanting to buy this instead of Mountain Dew. 

A fresh healthy vending food program would be very good if this program will succeed. A good practice in eating the right kinds of foods while they are young will affect their eating habits as they grow old, and will passed on to their kids. But with these kids who are used of eating chips and drinking sodas, this will be a very difficult switch. 

Most school also did not agree in totally pulling out the junk foods in school. According to them, even if they do, students would buy junk foods somewhere else. There are positive impacts of these changes at some schools, but the students complain that they are being charge for the spoon used in eating yogurt but the bottom line is that junk food is on its way out in schools and fresh healthy vending food is the only sane choice for our kids.

It would be difficult at first, but soon all the problems will be solved and the students will surely embrace the idea of healthy foods because it’s the right thing to do.

Junk foods in vending machine sold in school premises

Vending machines of junk foods, sodas and bars that can be found at school are now the target of state law makers all over the country. These machines are a good source of money for school and product owners but also the source of unhealthy calories for students.

About 24 States in the US are considering total bans for these machines. About 20 States in the US are now strictly implementing a no junk food access for the students until after lunch time. There are also States in the US that ban soft drinks sales to elementary and junior high school. California was the first State to do it. It is a responsibility of the school to teach their students healthy eating habits. As most of the times of the student are spent inside the school, school administrators play a big part in molding students in developing healthy eating habits. Providing fresh healthy vending food in these machines would be a great start but the Obesity epidemic has become a major health problem in the US for the last three decades. Eating fresh healthy vending food would help prevent obesity while junk foods, inactive lifestyle, poor physical activities are the major cause of obesity. Obesity has been associated with different kinds of diseases and illnesses such as diabetes, high blood, heart disease and arthritis. State officials are encouraging schools to stock their vending machines with healthier alternatives like granola bar, fruits, juice, bottled water and milk. According to them, the school will not only promote healthy eating habits but also will help in solving obesity problems.

Different States have different response and ideas for the said issue. Some agree while others believe that further studies are needed and there are some things to be considered like payments for computers, sports programs and some school activities which rely on vending machine sales. Fresh healthy vending food machines could more than make up for the loss of the revenue as healthy products taste good and lets face it kids aren’t stupid and they are always hungry which is a known fact.

Some say that the restrictive approach of the State is not needed and their intentions to single out every beverages or foods are not going to work. The key in achieving a healthy lifestyle is by educating the students as well as their parents about healthy eating habit.

Fresh Healthy Vending Food replacing Junk Foods in Schools

According to Philip Brasher on his report yesterday at The Des Moines Register Online, the government wants children to use fresh healthy vending food machines in schools which offer fruits and vegetables although it seems that they are putting the money where it is advice and expected to be. The U.S. Department of Agriculture spent buying the needs for school lunches in a different manner. For every dollar spent, 55 cents went to chicken, beef and cheese and only 23 cents went to fruits and vegetables.

A group of lowa business leaders were stumped by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack when he asked them what was the single food item for schools that the U.S. Department of Agriculture spent the most on, and was answered, mozzarella cheese!

According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation who made a study in the U.S. Department of Agriculture food buying for the year 2008, there are 2 pyramids: The first one is the traditional food guide pyramid, which recommends eating more fruits and vegetables. The second one, is the pyramid that shows the U.S. Department of Agriculture buys for school. It is clear that the U.S. Department of Agriculture reversed the pyramids.

The dairy industry doesn’t think that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is over buying cheese. Chris Galen believes that kids need nutrition and mozzarella cheese is high-nutrition, cost-effective food that most people, esp. kids, loved! The lawmakers are likely to give more incentives for schools that promote more fruits and vegetables in their breakfast and lunch menu. Tom Harkin said that the one to be blamed for obesity are those junk foods sold in vending machine and snack bars found at school. And there would be less appetite for the kids if they cut back on cheese and meat.

If they will encourage students to eat healthy from fresh healthy vending food machines that should be promoted and installed in schools rather than the current junk food vending machines and snack bar, the risk that they have to face is the fact that these junk foods are reliable source of income for the school. Fresh healthy vending food machines can be just of good of source as income as junk food machines if school districts just give them a chance. Kids need nutritious meals throughout the day while at school and they’re just not getting it these days.

Fresh healthy vending food that makes you smarter are available with the introduction of healthy vending machines in schools, health clubs, malls and even in offices now. These fresh healthy vending food machines offer fruit, veggies, yogurts along with an entire assortment of healthy products.

Do you know that there is actually a food for the brain? Not 1, but 10!
If you are in a rush for school paper project or office paper works, then help your brain to do its work. Forget the junk foods and soda. Feed your brain with something that would boost its performance, foods that are rich in Omega-3 fats, antioxidants and fiber.

Below are the lists of food that you should eat if offered from the fresh healthy vending food machines, either daily or weekly.

1. Avocado is a protein rich fruit that helps to fill a day with energy. Avocado when combined with scramble eggs helps in better blood circulation that is essential for optimal brain function.
2. Blueberries reduced the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and are considered the best food for the brain.
3. Wild Salmon is a premium source of Omega-3 fatty acids that are needed by the brain. It helps in improving memory, mood, cognition and alertness. It also helps in reducing depression , anxiety and hyperactivity.
4. Nuts contain high amount of fiber, protein, and beneficial fats needed for getting immediate energy boost.
5. Seeds contain beneficial fat, vitamin E , protein, antioxidants and magnesium that is known as a brain boosting mineral. You can try sunflower seeds and sesame seeds in your foods for a more delicious brain-boosting food!
6. Coffee is good for our brain because it contain fibers. It has noted benefits to your brain in providing energy boost. If you are afraid that it is bad for your health, let me tell you that espresso beans are healthy snack. Just don’t ruin your coffee by loading it with sugar!
7. Oatmeal. This is a very healthy food. It is one the best foods for brain health. Not to mention that oatmeal is rich in fiber, protein, and a small amount of Omega-3. An oatmeal in your breakfast helps you to stay on track and avoid irritability.
8. Beans. One thing that I like with beans is the price. Yes, it is cheaper but don’t under estimate it for its price. Beans are loaded with fiber, proteins, vitamins and minerals. It also provides a steady and slow release of glucose o brain without the sugar crash.
9. Pomegranate contains antioxidants which is important for a healthy brain.
10. Brown Rice is good for people who are sensitive to gluten but still want to have a healthy cardiovascular. Remember that the better your circulation, the sharper your brain will be.

This is not all! foods like tea, chocolate, oysters, olive oil, tuna, garlic, eggs, green leafy vegetables and cacao nibs contain the nutrients that your brain needs in order to perform better. The next time you go to the grocery, don’t forget to pick any of these for a healthier brain and  more alive thinking!

Avoid eating, drinking or taking alcohol, corn syrup, sugar, nicotine and a high in carbohydrate meal as it drain your brain. If you can’t help it, well maybe you should take it with moderation.

The Fresh Healthy Vending Food bill known as “Harkin-Murkowski bill” has been presented into the Senate by Tom Harkins of lowa and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska that aims to close loopholes in federal regulations in connection with the sale of food on school grounds and premises. The law would update all the regulations just to meet the present nutrition science and for the first time–use them to vending machines. This fresh healthy vending food bill has been endorsed by many health-concern associations like the School Nutrition Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association and the American Dietetic Association.

The Child Nutrition Promotion and School Protection Act aims to update the definition of “minimal nutritional value.” This target the standard nutritional value foods must meet before they will allow to be sold in school campuses and premises. The Nutritional guideline has not been updated since 1979, and now the need to be reevaluated has risen. This standard would generally apply to all the foods being sold in the school ground and premises, including snack bars and vending machines, and not only to foods sold in school canteen and cafeterias.

According to the Government Accountability Office, vending machines, snack bars and school stores can be found at 83 percent of elementary schools and 97-99 percent of middle schools and high schools. And the most purchases items from those stores are candies, junk foods, chips, sugary drinks, salty snacks, fatty baked foods and other carbonated drinks. The amounts of unneeded calories that students get from all these foods are highly alarming.

Now that more and more people are becoming more aware and concern, an identical bill is expected to be presents into the House of Representatives.  This fresh healthy vending food school law will eliminate junk food in schools and hopefully change the minds of the next generation of kids to eat healthy.

According to Tom Harkin: ”School breakfast and lunch programs adhere to strong guidelines, but as soon as students leave the cafeteria, they are inundated with the over-promotion of junk food in vending machines and snack bars. This undercuts our investment in school meal programs and steers kids toward a future of obesity and diet-related disease. We must update nutritional guidelines across the board.”