Promoting healthier vending machines on a college campus

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Vending machine foods are typically high in sugar, sodium, calories and unhealthy fats. Healthier food options must be preferred by consumers and profitable to vendors to be offered. This study of vending machine use on a college campus explores the effects of changing food options to promote healthier foods through point of purchase marketing. The study includes attitudinal data related to changes in vending machine foods to improve nutritional quality, effects of a marketing campaign, and sales data. Preliminary results indicate that students do perceive the choices to be significantly healthier, without compromising the perceived value, tastiness satiety, or convenience offered by available choices.