Beginning Oct. 5, employees and visitors at select Ingham County facilities will have greater access to healthier snack and beverage options through the launch of the Healthy Vending Initiative.
The Ingham County Health Department (ICHD), in partnership with the Sugar Smart Coalition, is launching the county’s Healthy Vending Initiative at Forest Community Health Center, the Veterans Memorial Courthouse/ Grady Porter Building, the Drain Commission, and the Ingham County Justice Complex.
The initiative follows Resolution #23-489, passed in 2023 by the Ingham County Board of Commissioners, which established standard nutritional guidelines for vending machines operating in Ingham County facilities.
ICHD and the Ingham County Wellness Committee developed and championed the policy in partnership with the Sugar Smart Coalition.
Ingham County is the first documented county in Michigan to adopt a formal, comprehensive vending policy establishing nutritional standards for vending machines on its properties.
The Healthy Vending Initiative uses a color-coding system that aligns with the United States Department of Agriculture Smart Snack Standards and nutrition guidelines. Products marked with green dot stickers indicate healthier options with lower added sugar and sodium content. Educational signs will also be posted near the vending machines to provide information to make healthier food and beverage choices.
Kara Shirley, the Health Analyst at ICHD, shared the purpose behind the initiative:
“Our goal is to increase the number of healthy offerings in Ingham County and not to eliminate choices from county vending machines. We want to make healthier choices easier to find and more accessible while continuing to provide people with options. We hope to create an environment where making a healthier choice is a little easier for everyone."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “3 in 5 Americans ages 2 and older consume more than the recommended amount of added sugars.” Sugary drinks account for 24% of added sugar consumption. Consuming too many sugary drinks can have health consequences like weight gain, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and tooth decay.
This initiative supports the ongoing efforts of ICHD and the Sugar Smart Coalition to promote healthier food environments and reduce added sugar consumption, particularly from sugar-sweetened beverages
Local organizations interested in adopting similar healthy vending standards or learning more about the nutrition guidelines can visit sugarsmartcoalition.org and select “Contact Us” to request more information.
For additional details regarding Ingham County public health programs and community policy initiatives, visit hd.ingham.org
The Ingham County Health Department (ICHD), in partnership with the Sugar Smart Coalition, is launching the county’s Healthy Vending Initiative at Forest Community Health Center, the Veterans Memorial Courthouse/ Grady Porter Building, the Drain Commission, and the Ingham County Justice Complex.
The initiative follows Resolution #23-489, passed in 2023 by the Ingham County Board of Commissioners, which established standard nutritional guidelines for vending machines operating in Ingham County facilities.
ICHD and the Ingham County Wellness Committee developed and championed the policy in partnership with the Sugar Smart Coalition.
Ingham County is the first documented county in Michigan to adopt a formal, comprehensive vending policy establishing nutritional standards for vending machines on its properties.
The Healthy Vending Initiative uses a color-coding system that aligns with the United States Department of Agriculture Smart Snack Standards and nutrition guidelines. Products marked with green dot stickers indicate healthier options with lower added sugar and sodium content. Educational signs will also be posted near the vending machines to provide information to make healthier food and beverage choices.
Kara Shirley, the Health Analyst at ICHD, shared the purpose behind the initiative:
“Our goal is to increase the number of healthy offerings in Ingham County and not to eliminate choices from county vending machines. We want to make healthier choices easier to find and more accessible while continuing to provide people with options. We hope to create an environment where making a healthier choice is a little easier for everyone."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “3 in 5 Americans ages 2 and older consume more than the recommended amount of added sugars.” Sugary drinks account for 24% of added sugar consumption. Consuming too many sugary drinks can have health consequences like weight gain, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and tooth decay.
This initiative supports the ongoing efforts of ICHD and the Sugar Smart Coalition to promote healthier food environments and reduce added sugar consumption, particularly from sugar-sweetened beverages
Local organizations interested in adopting similar healthy vending standards or learning more about the nutrition guidelines can visit sugarsmartcoalition.org and select “Contact Us” to request more information.
For additional details regarding Ingham County public health programs and community policy initiatives, visit hd.ingham.org
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