Update: New Healthy Vending Proposal for State Legislation

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The push for statewide healthier vending options has now grown to be a focus within the state’s legislation. A new bill called the “Maryland Healthy Vending Act” is being proposed during the 2016 Maryland State Legislative Session. Sugar Free Kids Maryland will propose the bill to encourage healthier food and beverage options with certain guidelines for all vending machines statewide.

The plan is to have 75 percent of all vending machines on state property to:

• Meet healthy food and drink standards
• Have bottled water sold in every vending machine on state property
• Meet trans fat and sodium standards
• Display healthier options in a noticeable way for the highest selling potential
• Require calorie labels on or around machines

In 2015, a healthy vending initiative was passed, helping Baltimore city promote healthier choices throughout city-owned facilities.

“Howard County led the way in championing public health by passing healthy vending legislation last summer,” said Nikki Highsmith Vernick, president and CEO of the Horizon Foundation, which supported the bill in 2015. “We also support SugarFree Kids in its mission to improve the health of our entire state.  This bill promotes health and protects choice.  Anyone can buy or eat whatever they like at any time. We are simply making the healthy choice, the easier choice,” Vernick said in a recent statement.

Lower-income Latino families are at higher health risks of obesity and diabetes. Having access to healthier foods that are affordable within city and statewide vending may help reduce health risks for Latino families.

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