Chicago Parks to Vend Only Healthy Items

Chicago Park District is pulling unhealthy items from the vending machines at its sites. The new machines, operated by Compass Group, will be completely stocked with only healthy snacks. Plans call for 96 to be installed within citywide field houses by the end of the year.

The new nutritional standards for the snacks in the vending machines include limitations on calories, sodium, fat and sugar per serving. There is also at least one gluten/peanut free item available in each machine.

“As part of our commitment to supporting healthy lifestyles for Chicagoans, we are proud to be a leader in setting policy that can serve as a national model for combatting obesity, beginning with what patrons find when they’re in our facilities,” says interim Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Mike Kelly.