Denise M Brown, PhD, RD, LDProject CoordinatorAssociate Professor Department of Nutrition and Food

SystemsThe University of Southern MississippiHattiesburg, MS 39406-0001

“Leadership 2006:Preparing Our Children for the Future”2006 MASS/Alliance Winter Conference

Changing Beverage Vending Machine Choices in SchoolsCase Study Project Sponsorship by The Bower Foundation in coordination with the MDE Office ofHealthy Schools

Study Objectives

• Introduce changes to beverages offered in vending machines at school

• Assess the financial impact on individual school profits

Study Objectives

• Identify approaches to encourage student choice of healthy beverages while maintaining profits to schools and beverage vendors

Desoto County Hernando Middle School

Olive Branch High SchoolTishomingo County Tishomingo County High School

Union County

West Union Attendance Center

Ingomar Attendance Center

Bolivar County

West Bolivar Junior High School

West Bolivar High School

Hinds County

Raymond High School

Utica Elementary Middle School

Bolton Edwards Elementary Middle School

Simpson County

Mendenhall Junior High School

Forrest County

Hattiesburg High School

Burger Middle School

Pearl River County

Picayune Junior High School

Picayune Memorial High School

Harrison County

Gulfport High School

Gulfport Central Middle School

Bayou View Middle School

Participating Schools

Initial Project Requirements

• Change Advertising on Beverage Machines– No advertisement

for soft drinks– May include

company name – School logo

Initial Project Requirements• Change choices in

vending machines– 50% of slots in vending

machines• Soft drinks or other fruit

flavored drinks– 50% of slots “Healthier”

Beverage Choices• Water, 100% fruit juices,

Sports Drinks

Initial Project Requirements• Price “Healthier” Drinks

25% below soft drinks• Collect and submit monthly

financial data and drink sales data throughout 2005-2006 School Year

School District Characteristics

• Enrollment– 350 in smallest school– 2000 in largest school– 12,000+ students in

all participating schools

• Children receiving Free Meals ranging from:– 14% low– 100% high (including

coastal counties after hurricane Katrina)

Lessons Learned

• Location of current vending machines– Power sources– Marketing strategies

• Size of Cans and or Bottles

• Pricing strategies– 25% lower for

healthier choices– Price all beverages

the same– Price based on ounces

Lessons Learned

• Choosing beverages to offer– Plain water– Flavored water– Sports Drinks– 100% Fruit drinks

• Potential profits– Smaller profit margins– Increase volume of sales

Project Timeline• Site selection and initial

visits August-September 2005

• Changes to vending machines implemented as soon as possible

• Data collection August 2005-May/June 2006

• Data analysis and reporting August 2006

Expected Study Outcomes• Encourage

children to select healthier beverages

• Compare School Year 2004-2005 beverage sales to 2005-2006 sales

• Determine financial impact of changing beverage choices

Expected Study Outcomes

• Determine student purchasing preferences for healthier beverages

• Identify approaches to recommend to superintendents and principals

The Ultimate GoalHelp Children MakeLifelong Healthier Choices