A few weeks ago, I had an opportunity to chat with Sean Kelly, CEO of HealthyVending.com. Many years ago, I had explored the concept of healthy vending with a good friend of mine that was in the industry. On the surface the concept seemed quite simple. All we had to do was replace the poor choices found in most vending machines with some healthier options, and we would cure worldwide obesity within a few years.
After spending about a week researching this "simple concept" we quickly realized a successful execution of a healthy vending machine business was anything but simple...we never spoke about it again.
So at this point I should step back and thank Twitter. About a month ago, I asked (via tweet) if anyone knew of any healthy vending machine companies. A visit to a local high school for my Sunday morning b-ball game prompted me to ask this question as there was not one healthy option to choose from in the vending machine.
While I received several responses to my post, no one was able to provide me with any answers. Just when I thought the issue was dead, I was contacted by Sean introducing me to his company, healthyvending.com.
The mission of Sean's company is to help unite man and nutrition (h.u.m.a.n.) by placing premium healthy vending machines across the globe and giving 10% of proceeds back to charitable causes that fight obesity and malnutrition.
For the last 15 months h.u.m.a.n. Healthy Vending has focused on building a one of a kind healthy vending machine, specifically designed to overcome the obstacles that have prevented healthy vending from achieving a mainstream adoption in the past.
h.u.m.a.n. machines were created to accomplish three primary goals:
- Increase revenues & profits for vending operators & sales commissions for locations.
- Make operating, maintaining, & stocking the machines easier while making consumer interaction more enjoyable.
- Create happy, healthy & loyal customers.
The machine features a touch-screen LCD, streaming video content, a cashless payment system, an eco-friendly power device and attractive graphics.
Aside from their unique machine, h.u.m.a.n. Healthy Vending utilizes on-location surveys, demographical analysis, & past precedence, to determine the specific product mix that best suits each location.
What most impressed me about my conversation with Sean is his companies commitment to the fight against obesity/malnutrition coupled with his clarity regarding the importance of making his machines profitable.
In today's economy, most schools, corporations, health clubs, airports, hospitals, etc. would be hesitant about giving up the revenue they derive from their current vending machines just to promote healthier food choices.
It is no secret that a healthier employee is a more productive one. As companies downsize their workforce, it is going to be more important than ever for remaining employees to be productive.
h.u.m.a.n. Healthy Vending is the rare breed of company that truly does offer the best of both worlds.
Healthy Food Choices + A Significant Revenue Opportunity + A More Productive Workplace = h.u.m.a.n. Healthy Vending
Very nice idea -- I especially like that 10% of proceeds to charities that fight obesity and malnutrition.
Posted by: abatardi | 04/03/2009 at 09:44 AM
Companies are now putting healthy vending machines in their workspace to provide their employees with healthy refreshments.
Posted by: healthy vending | 01/12/2011 at 05:33 PM