1,200 Organizations Register for Healthy Vending Program in 2010: States, Government Agencies and the Military All Sign Up for Vending Association's Fit Pick Vending Program

CHICAGO, Jan. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 1,200 organizations from coast-to-coast registered in 2010 for the National Automatic Merchandising Association's (NAMA) Fit Pick healthy vending program NAMA Executive Vice President and COO Dan Mathews, NCE5 announced today.  According to figures compiled by NAMA, in 2010 1,215 organizations registered for the Fit Pick program including 162 government agencies, 99 schools and school systems, 247 worksites and 573 vending companies.

In discussing the popularity of the program Mathews said, "Across the country and from state-to- state our Fit Pick healthy vending program is sweeping the country.  Not only have states like Tennessee and Mississippi adopted the program, but branches of the military like the Army and Air Force are using the program too.  We're extremely proud not only of the program but also of the contribution NAMA has made by providing valuable tools that help consumers better understand how to maintain a healthy lifestyle."

NAMA's Fit Pick program is designed to educate consumers about products in vending machines that meet specific nutrition standards, and was unveiled nationally by the association in 2008.  The program includes stickers that are placed in front of qualifying products, thin clings that explain the nutrition standard, coin slot stickers and round stickers to help educate consumers as well, and is part of the organization's Balanced for Life program which is designed to educate consumers about the elements of a balanced diet and the importance of physical activity.

Over the past year there were many highlights for the program including:

• The state of Tennessee mandated that 25% of the products in vending machines located on state property must meet Fit Pick guidelines
• The Mississippi State Department of Health officially adopted the program

Said Mathews, "As part of this program we have distributed more than 139,000 Fit Pick stickers that indicate 'better for you' choices.  As a result, more than 27,000 vending machines have now been equipped with our Fit Pick program that helps consumers better understand where different products fit into an overall balanced diet."

While the program has been overwhelmingly popular in the U.S., the program is also becoming increasingly popular around the world as well.  According to Mathews, last year the program was adopted in locations in Puerto Rico, Korea and Japan.

NAMA is the national trade association of the food and refreshment vending, coffee service and foodservice management industries including on-site, commissary, catering, & mobile.

SOURCE National Automatic Merchandising Association