4/9/14 NAMA Unveils New Fit Pick Healthy Vending Program
From Vending Times
Issue Date: Vol. 54, No. 5, May 2014, Posted On: 4/9/2014
NAMA Unveils New Fit Pick Healthy Vending Program – Nick Montano
CHICAGO — The National Automatic Merchandising Association has revamped its popular Fit Pick healthy vending program, unveiling new features and product guidelines today at the OneShow here. The new Fit Pick addresses changing consumer preferences and evolving government nutrition standards, NAMA said.
Fit Pick, the vending industry’s signature nutrition outreach initiative, launched in 2005. Since then it’s been available to millions of vending machine patrons; some 15,000 American organizations — schools, hospitals, workplaces and all branches of the U.S. military — are now participating in the program.
“The nutrition landscape is transforming,” said NAMA vice-president of marketing and communications Roni Moore.” First lady Michelle Obama’s efforts to promote childhood nutrition, updated USDA Smart Snacks in School standards and growth in overall consumer demand for informed choices indicate that people want to eat and live better. It’s our job to make that easy for them.”
Here’s what’s new…
» Nutrition standards: Fit Pick for workplaces has adopted new nutrition guidelines, featuring absolute value requirements that are easy for operators and consumers to understand. Fit Pick Select for schools, hospitals and other locations has adopted the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrient standards, helping ensure the program is approved in all health-oriented settings. SEE CHARTS BELOW
» An online Nutrition & Wellness Center at fitpick.org.
» Revised program materials. Improved sticker and clings for vending machines, micro markets and cafeterias, among other marketing materials, are available.
» Fit Pick brand guidelines.
» Nutrition experts: To explain the new guidelines, NAMA has assembled a Nutrition Advisory Council of outside nutrition experts and influencers from leading universities and health organizations. The association also has added a frontline perspective with NAMA’s Healthy Vending and Micro Market Leadership Committee’s input.