UCLA Wellness Initiative Improves the Health of its Vending Machines!

As part of UCLA’s Wellness Initiative, a new vending machine with unique offerings has been added to the food selections available at UCLA Medical Center.

While researching the availability of healthy snacks for employees, Stacey Norris, registered dietitian and Teri Cutter, diet technician, turned to Bob Kitay, manager of campus vending machines. “Bob took us to see a vending machine with healthy offerings near the Math Sciences Building. I went wild for it and begged Bob to install one for the Medical Center,” recalls Stacey Norris.

This new vending machine offers good-tasting snacks that just happen to be organic, natural and healthy. Like Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, expect to find all natural, organic, and deliciously healthy food choices, including trail mixes, low-fat chips and soy snacks.

A UCLA School of Public Health study revealed that even a vending machine located at the workplace may improve employee productivity, well-being, and weight control.

“Now that we have healthy alternative vending machine snacks, there’s no reason to reach for the high-calorie, high-fat choices,” says Teri Cutter, diet technician and a principal on this project.

Presently, the new vending machine can be found outside of Café Med, between the Medical Center and the School of Public Health. Sometime during the month of November, a second machine featuring organic frozen dinners by Amy’s will be available outside of the Student Store near the School of Medicine. In the near future, look for surveys near the vending machines to request your favorite healthy snack.

The Medical Center’s new vending machine offers a wide selection of healthy and affordable food choices.