Staff Report
Fresh Healthy Vending has launched in Northwest Arkansas through franchise owners Dennis and Carla Laing. The Laings currently have 20 Fresh Healthy Vending machines installed throughout the area, and wish to expand by installing additional machines, which offer the option of healthy, natural snacks and beverages such as smoothies, soymilk, fruit, vegetables, yogurt, granola bars, baked chips and natural sodas.
“These vending machines are a way to offer healthier food options tailored to their dietary needs,” said Dan Negroni, CEO of Fresh Healthy Vending. “Teaching kids the importance of eating healthfully and prompting them to make more nutritious food choices is something we believe is critical, especially considering the rise in childhood obesity.”
Laing purchased the vending machine franchise rights from San Diego-based Fresh Healthy Vending, which offers healthier snacks as an alternative to traditional vending machine food of sugary and high-fat content drinks and snacks. They said it began when they were inspired to better their own communities by improving access to healthier snack and beverage options.
“I was disappointed to see the food options available in our local schools,” said Carla Laing. “I want to give children the option of eating healthier, while still maintaining the convenience of a vending machine. Fresh Healthy Vending is that option, and they have been a big hit among children and schools locally and nationwide.”
The Fresh Healthy Vending machines launching in Northwest Arkansas are just a portion of the 1,700 locations throughout North America, with machines placed in office break rooms, school campuses, shopping malls, hospitals and more. Locally, the Laings have placed machines in Gentry Public Schools, Fayetteville Public Schools, YMCA of Northwest Arkansas, Boys & Girls Club and other family-oriented locations. In addition to the healthier vending machine snacks and beverages, Fresh Healthy Vending also produces the Fresh Healthy Cafe, a vending machine that distributes gourmet organic coffee drinks together with their signature healthy snack options.
Fresh Healthy Vending touts its vending products as a means to keep minds and bodies in better shape. Their mission is to help eliminate junk food, which is associated with causing obesity, higher absenteeism and higher medical insurance rates.
To inquire about receiving a free Fresh Healthy Vending machine where you work, live or play, visit freshandhealthy.org.
