PA District Sets Up Healthy Vending Program

The Armstrong (PA) School District has installed “healthy” vending machines dispensing a range of healthful snack and beverage alternatives in its Ford City and West Shamokin Junior-Senior High Schools thanks to a grant from the Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association, reports the Pittsburgh Leader Times. Choices include milk, cheese and yogurt as well as fresh apple slices, granola and cereal bars, pretzels and popcorn.

In February, sales from the machines were nearly $1,000, according to the Leader Times, with the approximately $300 profit split between the district’s nutrition services department and student service organizations at both schools. The machines are part of a wellness initiative at Armstrong Schools, so prices of items in the vending machines are kept low to encourage sales.