Placing Healthier Food Vending Machines on College Campuses - Research Proposal Example

‘As of January 2005, 26 states were developing legislation to curtail vending of “junk food,” sugary beverages, and other “unhealthy” items on school grounds.’ As a consequence, sales of products such as cold beverages, candy, snacks, and confections have dropped with exception of nuts, meat snacks, and milk-led product categories. With over 16% of the 7 million vending machines and of 100 million Americans using them every day, associated with schools, the vending industry, accounting for $ 33 billion, needs to initiate ‘healthier-eating movements’ at the college campuses.

Also, with ‘away-from-home’ spending expected to grow by 27.5% by 2020 and with fish, certain fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, and grains expected to be the gainers, the vending machine industry has an opportunity (Sloan, 2005).Simone (2003), in the study ‘Environmental Approaches to Promotion of Healthful Food Choices’, states that ‘environmental influences’ on food choices have played a role in recent weight increases in the population.’ ‘Environmental influences’ quoted include, greater reliance on prepackaged, convenience foods, more frequent eating out at fast-food restaurants, and low prices on high energy, high fat, larger portion size foods.

The study examined the effects of price reductions and point-of-sale signage on low-fat vending machine snacks over two years in twelve high schools and twelve work sites. Four price reduction levels – price equals high-fat snacks, - 10%, - 25%, - 50% price reduction on low-fat snacks were applied and three point-of-purchase promotions – no signs, low-fat labels, and low-fat labels plus glass-front signage promoting low-fat foods, were tested. While the price reduction had a significant influence on purchase decisions, the promotional signage produced a significant (8%) increase in sales of low-fat snacks.