Healthy vending ideas

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Person inserting a coin into a vending machine

      The foods and drinks you can offer in vending machines depend on a number of factors, including product turnover and preferences of consumers, shelf life, style of the machine and whether or not refrigeration is available.

      The table below outlines common foods and drinks for vending machines that are classified GREEN (best choices) or AMBER (choose carefully) according to the Victorian Government’s Healthy Choices guidelines.

      You can also find healthier products on FoodChecker. Search the database to find drinks and snacks classified as GREEN, AMBER or RED.

      GREEN (Best choice)AMBER (Choose carefully)GREEN or AMBER options [1]
      Non-refrigerated foods
      Plain unsalted nuts, seeds or legumes Plain, air-popped popcorn (unsalted) Fruit tubs in natural juice Porridge or oats High fibre cereals that are low in sugarDried fruit Some salted or flavoured popcorn [1] Some crisps, chips, crackers and pretzels [1] Some cereal-based, fruit-filled or fruit and nut bars [1] Some instant noodles [1] Sugar-free mints or chewing gumFruit and nut/trail mixes Tuna and cracker snacks Tuna and rice or beans Packaged soups
      GREEN (Best choice)AMBER (Choose carefully)GREEN or AMBER options [1]
      Refrigerated foods
      Reduced fat yoghurt tubs or pouches Reduced fat cheese and crackers Reduced fat dip and crackersRegular fat yoghurt tubs or pouches Regular fat cheese and crackers Some reduced fat dairy desserts [1] Some ready-to-eat meals [1]
      Sandwiches, rolls or wraps (if suitable for the machine)
      Cold drinks
      Plain, unflavoured water (tap, spring, mineral, soda or sparkling) Reduced-fat plain milk Calcium-fortified milk alternatives (including rice, soy or almond milks) Reduced-fat flavoured milk and calcium-fortified flavoured milk alternatives that are equal to or less than 900kJ per serve as sold Tea and coffee without added sugar>99% fruit juice with a maximum serve size of 250ml Regular fat plain milk Some regular fat flavoured milks [1] Artificially sweetened drinks with no added sugar. It is recommended to provide these drinks in the smallest serve size available (for example, less than 375ml cans) Kombucha with 0g sugar per serve and no more than 0.5% alcohol Coconut water with no added sugar and <300kJ per serve


      Reduced fat flavoured milks [1]

      [1] Use Foodchecker to determine classification

      To receive this document in an accessible format phone 1300 22 52 88 or email heas@nutritionaustralia.org.au

      Except where otherwise indicated, the images in this document show models and illustrative settings only, and do not necessarily depict actual services, facilities or recipients of services. This document may contain images of deceased Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In this document, ‘Aboriginal’ refers to both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. ‘Indigenous’ or ‘Koori/Koorie’ is retained when part of the title of a report, program or quotation. Copyright © State of Victoria 2016

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      For more information please phone 1300 22 52 88 or email heas@nutritionaustralia.org.au

      Except where otherwise indicated, the images in this document show models and illustrative settings only, and do not necessarily depict actual services, facilities or recipients of services. This document may contain images of deceased Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In this document, ‘Aboriginal’ refers to both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. ‘Indigenous’ or ‘Koori/Koorie’ is retained when part of the title of a report, program or quotation. Copyright © State of Victoria 2016

      Written and reviewed by dietitians and nutritionists at Nutrition Australia, with support from the Victorian Government.

      Nutrition Australia and Victoria State Government logos

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