Town councillors discussed the possibility of putting more nutritional items in its vending machines at the Olds Aquatic Centre last week during a policies and priorities committee meeting.
Rick Kohut, owner of Health Street in Olds, told councillors he also offers a vending service that stocks machines with healthier choices. Kohut offers things such as trail mixes, dried fruit, energy bars, fruit and vegetable smoothies and coconut water.
“We have the goal of improving health. We also focus on education. We want to educate about good food choices,” he said, noting as a registered wholistic nutritionist, he teaches a course on what nutritional food is and the difference between that and less healthy choices.
The items that Kohut provides in vending machines have no artificial flavours, colours or preservatives. They generally cost more than the less healthy alternatives, ranging in price from $2 to $4 for the drinks and up to $5 for other foods.
Kohut's vending machines are also energy efficient and are customized to the location. He said the health messages at schools are customized and are quite different from ones located in municipal buildings or offices.
Kohut told councillors there is a lot of research linking behavioural issues in children to hydrogenated oil, food colourings and other additives.
“Some of those (complications) are diabetes, obesity, asthma, heart disease. There's lots of research out there now,” he said, noting that Health Canada and Alberta Health Services recommend that schools and recreation centres limit the amount of unhealthy choices available on their property.
Kohut said he believes Olds is a great place to begin to offer healthy snacks in vending machines.
Mayor Judy Dahl asked about shelf life and how Kohut could service the machines on a more frequent basis. Kohut said he plans to service the machines on a weekly basis.
“It's certainly something we have to keep our eye on,” he said.
Kohut said he is in talks with other communities but hasn't yet expanded his services beyond Olds.
Coun. Mary Jane Harper said she felt the Olds Sports Complex would be a better venue to try Kohut's machines than at the Olds Aquatic Centre, as administration suggested. Barbara Hill, director of community services with the town, said the OAC was chosen because it doesn't have any contractual obligations with other providers – unlike at the sports complex.
Dahl said while she liked the idea of providing more healthy alternatives, she also believed that people should have a choice.
“Personally, there's such a difference in choice. I think choice is good,” she said.
Nature's Vending is currently setting up a Facebook page where a wealth of information on healthy eating will be available. It should be accessible next week.
Kohut said the presentation to council went well and is excited to begin working with the town – if council decides to go ahead.
“Olds is … a progressive little town and they always want to be innovative and creative. This is one of those ways the town can really lead and show that they're making a difference,” he said.
Dahl said she is in favour of providing more healthy choices at town-owned facilities.
“I would like to see the alternatives be at the town office. That's where we have most of our users for meetings … and some of the options he's providing are really healthy snacks,” she said.
Administration will now inform council where the machines could possibly go and will be bringing it back to council for further discussion at a later date.
