Vendors Respond to Public Concern about Vending

The issue of health and nutrition is an issue that won’t go away any time soon. Vending operators read about it everyday, mostly as it relates to schools.

Trade organizations are spending their members’ money to make the media and government officials aware that the vending industry didn’t create the obesity crisis and are trying to be part of the solution. Antares vending operators for the most part support these efforts, which they view as a price they must pay for being in a business that is involved with public health.

The bottom line, however, is that the obesity and nutrition debate has very little to do with daily business reality for the average operator. Any Antares Corp. operator will be more than happy to provide customers products with higher nutritional content if the customers want it. This can be done through their purchasing habits, which for the most part isn’t happening.

Government and industry drive change

A less visible movement has emerged in the private sector: employee wellness. Medical costs are forcing employers to consider multi-faceted wellness programs to ensure healthier employees and lower health insurance premiums.

Obesity interest continues

The media isn’t going to let up on the obesity issue, because it is a problem that is affecting all parts of society. Time has shown that issues in the public spotlight tend to take on lives of their own; media attention feeds itself until the public genuinely loses interest.

Most Antares vending operators have been satisfied to let their national trade association carry the weight of the burden. But many are also learning that the issue affects them directly.

Vendors have new education tools

There is a campaign that was introduced last year, which provides tools to help operators address the media at the local level, and help them participate in legislative initiatives at both local and state levels.

Another tool is the support of a group of dieticians who are available to help Antares operators work with legislators and other public officials on the industry’s behalf.

The real bottom line for most operators is that they cannot expect to put the health and nutrition issue on the back burner, lest they get burned.