Every business and public service organization wants to create a positive environment for their employees, customers and visitors. This can come in the form of better restrooms, lunch places and seating arrangements to rest their feet.
A healthy vending machine (like one from Stay Healthy Vending, Miami) is one of the easiest and most cost effective ways to enhance the environment. Vending machines at work, school, fitness centers and hospitals provide easy, convenient and affordable options for people to get some healthy snacks and beverages on-the-go.
Your employees and customer will thank you for them, because it saves them the hassle of going elsewhere for food.
Here are some other benefits that “Stay Healthy” vending machines can offer businesses.
1. Improve Employee Productivity
Happy, healthy and satisfied people tend to be more productive. Studies have shown that employee, students and gym members that have access to healthy nutrition throughout the day are 25% more likely to perform better. They are also less likely to take days off sick.
Employee health has a direct impact on job performance and attendance. Just by having healthy options available to staff, students and visitors on your premises, you could see a drastic improvement in overall productivity.
2. Help Lower Calorie Consumption
Sugary snacks and processed junk food commonly found in vending machines are packed with calories. While calories are necessary to give you energy, the ones packed in processed snacks aren’t healthy.
These calories come mostly from sugar and artificial ingredients which have been a major contributor to the obesity crisis.
By offering healthy snack options, businesses can help their customers, employees and other visitors lead healthy lives.
3. Add New Revenue Streams
One or two vending machines in your establishment can make a noticeable change to your revenues. While the income might not be anywhere enough to become a business on its own, it will pay back the investment into the machines and then start turning a profit.
Sales will be slow at first. But once your customers, employees, gym members and students etc develop a healthy eating habit, they will regularly buy from you.
The keys to your vending machine’s success are the 3 Ps.
Promotion, Placement and Pricing
Promotion – Promoting the importance of healthy diet throughout your premises send the right message and sets the tone for your vending machine. Make sure to publicize the availability of healthy vending items to employees and other visitors.
Also, make sure your machine is brightly colored and contrasts with the surrounding ambiance so that it doesn’t become just another thing in the background. You want it to attract attention. Place sign in appropriate areas to direct new people to the vending machine.
Placement – Proper placement of the healthy vending machine will make it easier for visitors, students and employees to find the machine. It should be placed in a large room, with good access to sitting places. Improper placement could lead it to go largely ignored.
Pricing – The right pricing of healthy food is necessary for the vending machine to work. If you are working with a vendor to operate and restock the machine, try to negotiate on prices that sense considering your target demographic. Make sure to only stock quick selling items. The longer something stays in your vending machine, the more expensive they become for you.
Which Health Snacks to Stock in Vending Machines
You can help your employees, customers, and visitors choose healthier snacks at work by controlling what is offered in the vending machine. If you are using a third party for vending, ask them to stock the machines with healthier alternatives to soda and candies.
If they don’t you can switch to a vendor who provides healthier options or even buy your own vending machine and stock it yourself.
Some businesses choose to offer both healthy and unhealthy items. In this case, you can make it easier for people to choose healthier snacks and drinks by marking them with colored stickers.
Here are some healthier alternatives to include in your vending machine:
- Bottled water
- Brown rice crackers
- Canned fruit in natural juices
- Dried fruits such as cranberries, apricots, and raisins
- Fruit leathers
- Low-fat crackers
- Nuts such as almonds, pistachios, or cashews
- Oatmeal
- Pumpkin and sunflower seeds
- Rice cakes
- Sugar-free beverages
- Sugar-free cookies
- Trans fat-free popcorn
- Trans fat-free potato chips
- Whole grain granola and fruit bars
Conclusion
Healthy vending machines can benefit businesses in several ways. They save time, improve productivity and make it easier to get snacks without leaving your premises. Your employees, customers, and visitors will definitely thank you for providing healthy snacks at your facility.
There are plenty of health vending machine operators in the market. The process of setting up a machine has become very easy, especially if you go with a pro like Stay Healthy Vending in Miami. If you have a lot of employees or get dozens of visitors and customers every day, a healthy vending machine can help you improve your daily business operations.
