Implementing Healthy Vending Machines at Thomas Nelson Community College

J'Nai Edwards

David James

Robert Gargus

Rising Suns Industries

Table of Contents

Executive Summary...... 1

Introduction ...... 1

Methods...... 2

Results...... 2

Conclusions...... 2

Recommendations...... 3

References...... 3

Submitted to: John T. Dever: Dean of TNCC

o: ...... Teresa A. Bailey: Associate Vice President of Financial Services

Dawn Hayden: Associate Professor of English

Executive Summary

At TNCC Hampton Campus, there are twenty-eight vending machines that are placed throughout the campus within each hall. The research that our team has concluded that there should be vending machines that offer a selection of healthy snacks. Details of the research helped us determine that TNCC Hampton Campus needs to support a healthier way of snacking.

All drink machines are fifty percent soft drinks, thirty-three percent green tea, and seventeen percent water choices. Those machines have a limited supply of water bottles and green teas, whereas the soft drinks are abundant in supplies. With no wholesome options in most vending machines at TNCC Hampton Campus, students are constricted with highly undesirable food choices that are quick and can be “on-the-go”.

Upon researching companies that supply vending machines, Rising Sun’s Industries found H.U.M.A.N, Helping Unite Mankind And Nutrition. If only two machines could be implemented, the benefits provided by those machines could increase overall success of all who purchase from it.

Introduction

The nutritional food choices throughout the Hampton campus at Thomas Nelson Community College are limited. In fact, Subway is the only existing restaurant establishment. In order to address concerns with obesity and typical eating habits in stressful environments, such as any college atmosphere, it is necessary to take action. In efforts to engage this concern, our team has targeted the vended food that is available in each campus building. We have identified the H.U.M.A.N. Healthy vending machines company which can provide a healthy alternative for the current snack choices. TNCC students and faculty deserve healthy eating choices that can increase energy, productivity, and promote wholesome eating habits. Rising Suns team suggest that Thomas Nelson Community College implements two H.U.M.A.N Healthy vending machines in the main eating facility. This healthy brand of vending machines will offer nutritious snacks which can help reduce stress levels, obesity rates, and provide the community with an option to improve eating habits “on the go”.

Methods

Initially, we conducted an interview with Teresa Bailey, Associate Vice President of Financial Services, in order to find out information on the existing vending machines. This interview revealed the following information:

  • There is no cost for the current machines.
  • The main purposes for these machines are for revenue- not community welfare.
  • Healthy snacks approaches have failed in the past.
  • These machines provide the school receives a flat commission of $72,000 annually.
  • The monies create a supplemental budget called Local funds.
  • These funds are used for marketing, campus repairs, and many other issues.

Preceding the interview, we collected internet data on a vending company called H.U.M.A.N. They are the provider of an eco-friendly, healthy vending machines that are well known and are a self providing distributor of their machines. These vending machines not only offer a healthy alternative for food choices but they also save up to 50% on the usage of electricity, and ten percent of H.U.M.A.N.’s profit go to charities that fight obesity.

We searched the TNCC Hampton Campus for healthy vending machines, yet none were found. Out of twenty-eight vending machines on campus, there is a minimal selection of choices that are “healthy”. The current machines advertise that they have a “35-10-35” Fit pick, which meets nutritional standards for the amount of fat, saturated fats, and sugars that were present in each snack. We wanted to research vending machines that went beyond the existing inadequate nutritional standard. Henceforth, our company decided on what snacks would be healthy that could be vended with similar options but that are more health conscious. When researching contrasting machines, they had to meet the qualifications of its snacks being low carb, fresh, energy boosting, and desirable. In addition to the food being desirable, the price had to be within the range of TNCC’s budget without altering the affordability of the snacks.

Results

After researching H.U.M.A.N., Rising Sun’s Industries came to the conclusion that they would be the correct source to provide TNCC Hampton Campus with healthy vending machines. H.U.M.A.N. contains more than enough healthy options to keep Faculty, Staff, and Students. Though the machines are significantly higher than ones already implemented, the results of commission and the health boost will greatly outweigh the costs.

Conclusion

Rising Sun’s Industries concluded that, after all research committed, H.U.M.A.N. is the best option for TNCC Hampton Campus to provide healthy vending options.

Recommendations

H.U.M.A.N. can and will provide a healthier option for TNCC Hampton Campus. For the process to go with, two vending machines should be installed, one in Hampton III, and one in the Gallery.

References

Bailey, Teresa . Personal interview. 2 Dec 2013.

Flaharty, Tracey . Personal interview. 2Dec 2013.

Markel, Michael H.. Technical communication. 9th ed. Boston: Bedford/St Martin's, 2010. Print.

"Spring Class Registration." Thomas Nelson Community College. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Dec. 2013. <http://tncc.edu/>.

"Take The H.U.M.A.N. Healthy Vending Franchise Tour." HUMAN Healthy Vending Home MASTER Healthy Vending Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Dec. 2013. <

"Vending Machines Newport News." Peninsula Vending Peninsula Vending Services. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Dec. 2013. <