Vending machines are a great way to provide quick and convenient meals, snacks and drinks. Having healthy vending machines means that staff and visitors in your organisation have more access to healthy foods and drinks. 

What are the guidelines for healthy vending?

For a healthy vending machine, the Healthy Choices guidelines recommend that:

• at least 50 per cent of foods and drinks are from the GREEN (best choices ) category
• GREEN choices are in the most obvious, prominent places (e.g. at eye level)
• no more than 20 per cent of foods and are from the RED (limit) category
• RED choices are placed in the least prominent place (e.g. at the bottom of the machine).

In a healthy vending machine, AMBER (choose carefully) foods and drinks may also be supplied, but should not be placed more prominently than GREEN choices.

Vending in public health services

Please click here to access information about vending in public hospitals and health services in line with the Healthy choices: Policy directive for Victorian public health services

Providing healthy vending

The simple actions you can take to make healthy vending available depend on whether or not you currently have vending machines in your organisation. 

For organisations with vending machines

For organisations without vending machines 

Vending machine assessments

Assess your vending machine online with FoodChecker. You will receive feedback on the foods and drinks you supply, and tailored recommendations for healthier changes to meet the Healthy Choices guidelines.

The assessment is available online for instant access at a time and place that suits you. It’s quick and easy to use and it’s free!

Healthy vending plan-o-grams

These healthy vending plan-o-grams provide some examples of how to stock a drinks vending machine and a snacks vending machine in line with the Healthy Choices guidelines. 

Healthy Choices signage for vending machines

Once your vending machine contains less than 20% RED items, and its exterior isn’t promoting any RED foods, you might be eligible for our Healthy Choices marketing material.