Partnering for better options: Healthier Vending Initiative in Multnomah County, Oregon

INTRODUCTION

Vending machines commonly sell products high in salt, sugar, and fat. Vending on public property is no exception. Organizations like Multnomah County can be critical players in transforming food environments to slow rates of nutrition-related chronic disease. With the start of an internal Healthier Vending Initiative, the largest county government in Oregon is leading by example.

APPROACH

The Initiative piloted at County buildings involves nutrition standards, the County vending contract, and key stakeholders (contracts, blind vendors, public health/wellness staff, employee champions) to improve the health of vending machine offerings. The impact is being evaluated through sales data, tracking calories purchased, employee surveys, taste tests, and the Nutrition Environment Measurement Survey for Vending.

RESULTS

Preliminary results from the first pilot site indicate that sales remained steady while consumers purchased fewer calories per sale. Employee feedback has been positive. The five-month duration of the pilot illustrates the feasibility of healthy vending and builds the case for changes to roll-out countywide.

DISCUSSION

Healthier vending can contribute to improving the health of the 4,500 Multnomah County employees as well as the public they serve. The pilot for the Healthier Vending Initiative has created momentum for additional efforts to improve the food environment and identified contracts as important tools to improve public health.