(EMAILWIRE.COM, November 08, 2011 ) California, US -- Florida is currently ranked the 26th most obese state in the nation, with an alarming combined rate of overweight and obese adults at 62.6%. With the nationÂ’s overall growing rates of overweight and obese adults and children, it is clear that there is a gap between the health and nutrition needs of our country and what is actually accessible to the average person in the marketplace.
Fortunately, Jason Mankoff and Greg Riofrio —social entrepreneurs doing business as Live & Bee Healthy—have partnered with HUMAN Healthy Vending to ensure that residents in their community have access to foods and drinks that meet a high caliber of nutrition standards, including the standards delineated by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.
Unlike antiquated vending machines that have long been complicit in encouraging unhealthful eating habits, HUMANÂ’s vending machines are the first full-service vending solution offering healthful snacks, drinks and entire meals along with health education streamed digitally via HD LCD screens attached to the machines. The LCD screens can educate consumers on the products in the machine as well as give general nutrition advice, such as how to read a nutrition label.
Locations that partner with Live & Bee Healthy will join a successful network of more than 750 locations across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico that currently feature HUMAN vending machines. Already, Saint Andrew’s School, an independent, co-educational school for Grades JK – 12, has signed with Live & Bee Healthy and currently features two HUMAN Healthy Vending machines on its campus. “We are excited to partner with Live and Bee Healthy to be able to provide healthier snack options for our students here on campus,” said Craig Ashley, director of athletics.
Mankoff and Riofrio, each fathers to three young children, are excited about bringing healthy vending to their local community. “We each were disappointed about the vending options at local parks and schools and feel very strongly, as fathers especially, that it is important to make sure that the children in our community, as well as their parents, not only have access to healthy foods, but also learn why it’s important to eat and drink healthy products,” said Mankoff.
If you are interested in learning more about HUMAN, or in bringing healthy vending to your location at no cost to you, please visit http://www.healthyvending.com
Why is “healthful-food-vending” so important?
• Florida has an obesity rate of 14.3 percent and was ranked 26th most obese state in the nation (via “F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future 2011,” a report from the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation)
• Florida’s current adult diabetes rate is 9.9%. Fifteen years ago, the rate was 5.7 percent (via “F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future 2011,” a report from the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation)
• Fifteen years ago, Florida had a hypertension rate of 23.8 percent. Now, the rate is 29 percent (via “F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future 2011,” a report from the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation)
• More than two-thirds of adults in America — 190 million people — are currently overweight or obese (via “F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future 2011,” a report from the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation)
• One third of all children born in 2000 or later will suffer from diabetes at some point in their lives. Many others will face chronic obesity-related health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, and asthma (via Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” website)
About HUMAN Healthy Vending
It is the goal of HUMAN (Helping Unite Mankind and Nutrition) to make universal access to healthy food and health education a reality. HUMAN distributes hi-tech and eco-friendly vending machines that sell 100% healthy foods and drinks. In addition to providing healthy food options, the machines provide health education via high-definition LCD screens that display streaming videos and other content. By making healthy products and healthy-living information accessible in schools, hospitals, gyms, community centers and additional public spaces, HUMAN empowers people to make healthy choices.
HUMAN is proud to donate 10% of its proceeds to charitable causes that fight childhood obesity and malnutrition. To learn more, go to: http://www.healthyvending.com