Evaluation of Healthy Vending in Chicago Parks Released

In August 2010, the Chicago Parks District executed a 5-year contract with a national vendor that called for park vending machines to meet nutrition standards. Released last week in the Journal Preventing Chronic Disease, a study evaluating the healthy vending found that patrons and staff reported liking the healthier offerings and that monthly sales grew over time. The authors suggest that the findings of this evaluation “can inform efforts in other municipalities to improve the nutritional value of snacks offered in park vending machines.”

Community Case Study: Working With Community Partners to Implement and Evaluate the Chicago Park District’s 100% Healthier Snack Vending Initiative

Chicago Tribune Article “Chicagoans choose healthy food over junk in vending-machines: study“