Alabama’s Healthy Vending Program – Improving Lives One Worksite at a Time

Submission Date: January 2017

State/Territory Submitted on the Behalf of: Alabama

States/Territories Involved: Alabama

Funding Source: CDC

CDC Funding:

Yes

CDC Funding (Specified):

(1305) State Public Health

Domain Addressed:

Environmental Approaches

Public Health Issue:

• Alabama has the fifth highest rate of adult obesity in the nation.
• The state also has the fourth highest rate of diabetes and second highest rate of hypertension – both of which are conditions more likely to occur in people who are obese.
• Unhealthy diet is a major risk factor for obesity. Nearly 46% of Alabama residents eat fruit less than once daily, and 26% eat vegetables less than once a day (2013 data).
• Vending machines offering healthy snack and beverage options can help people make healthier choices but they are often stocked with only high calorie foods and drinks that have few nutrients.

Program Action:

• The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) partnered with Auburn University and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) to expand the Alabama Healthy Vending Machine Program (AHVMP) to worksites in mostly rural areas of the state.
• AHVMP aims to increase access to healthy foods and drinks across the state by recommending that 25% or more of food and drinks sold in all vending machines meet AHVMP Program Standards.
• The program nutrition standards include, for example, stocking vending snacks low in fat, sugar and sodium with no more than 200 calories per serving.
• An attractive “Good Choice” logo helps employees and visitors identify snacks that meet the standards.

Impact/Accomplishments:

 

• Thirteen worksites now have healthier food choices to their vending machines (map of participating worksites here).
• Improved food choices at these sites include dried fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and foods low in saturated fat, added sugars, and sodium.
• SNAP-Ed staff provides technical assistance on how to make vending improvements to meet AHVMP nutrition standards. Participating worksites attended trainings on promotion, pricing, and placement of food items in healthy vending machines to promote product sales.
• ADPH plans are in place to offer online training videos on the program and a healthy vending website contains information on setting up a program for interested worksites.
• Through the partnership with Auburn University, SNAP-Educators will help to expand the program to corner stores, small grocery stores, and K-12 schools in low-income and rural areas.

Program Areas:

Healthy Communities (general), Worksite Health

State Contact Information:

AL
Molly B. Killman, MS, RD
Alabama Department of Public Health
334-206-5646
Molly.Killman@adph.state.al.us

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