The break room at the office may be going organic. In a trend likely to evoke strong reactions, TODAY reports many vending machines in schools, office buildings and fitness clubs coast-to-coast will begin dispensing organic, healthy alternatives. The old “guilty pleasure” junk food will be replaced with fruit, organic yogurt, granola bars and gluten-free snacks.
The new offerings are the result of a recent law passed by Congress that requires officials to set nutritional standards for all foods sold in schools. The “Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010″ provides students with healthy, natural choices– and it seems to be working. “The new organic snacks sold at four suburban Chicago high schools have been a big hit with students, outselling the previous candy-and-soda machines”, says Jeff Carr, business manager for the school district in Crystal Lake, Ill. ”It’s the direction a lot of kids want to go, Carr says. “And it’s our job to provide them with healthy choices.”
The trend is healthy for business too. TODAY reports Fresh Healthy Vending, a San Diego based company that sells organic vending franchises has generated $3.8 million just four months after it started selling franchises. The company has sold 36 vending franchises to entrepreneurs who have put machines in 331 locations nationwide, including 32 schools. It’s also turned into a treasure for Pirate Brands, maker of a gluten and nut free snack called Pirate’s Booty. “It’s becoming bigger and bigger every day,” says Eric Berniker, the company’s Vice President of Marketing. The Sea Cliff, N.Y., company’s sales have already doubled to $100 million since 2008, with the snack getting much of the credit.
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