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 ConferenceSecondary School Section Meeting

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

• Introduce changes to beverages offered in vending machines at school

• Assess the financial impact on individual school profits

Study Objectives

1. Change Advertising on Beverage Machines

– No advertisement for soft drinks– May include company name – School logo

2. Change choices in vending machines in Middle Junior High and High Schools

– 50% of slots in vending machinesSoft drinks or other fruit flavored

drinks– 50% of slots “Healthier” Beverage

Choices of Water, 100% fruit juices, Sports Drinks

– Machine locations determined by schools

Initial Project Requirements

3. Price “Healthier” Drinks 25% below soft drinks

4. Collect and submit monthly financial data and drink sales data throughout 2005-2006 School Year

5. Invoice three times for $1000 incentive grants for a total of $3000 per school

Initial Project Requirements

• Beverage sales from 2004-2005

• School meals data from 2004-2005

• Monthly beverage sales for 2005-2006

• Monthly inventory of beverage vending machines

• Monthly School meals data from 2005-2006

Data Required

• 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

• Working relationship with vendors

Lessons Learned

1. Encourage children to select healthier beverages

2. Compare School Year 2004-2005 beverage sales to 2005-2006 sales

3. Determine financial impact of changing beverage choices

Expected Study Outcomes

4. Determine student purchasing preferences for healthier beverages

5. Identify approaches to recommend to superintendents and principals

Expected Study Outcomes

• Learn from your colleagues – What beverages sell?– What impact can you expect on

profits?– What pricing strategies work?– How do Middle/Junior High

schools compare to high schools?

How can this study help you?

• Learn from beverage vendors– Type of beverages available– Types of machines needed– How to price for maximum profit– New marketing strategies

How can this study help you?