July 2008 Winner
Organic Food Vending machines for school use
I would like to start a vending company that sells organic or all natural snacks, organic milk and milk alternatives, and food for special dietary needs. I would ideally place this in schools and would love to expand
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Q1: How can I promote this idea?
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07.14.08 | 02:49 PMPromoting would be easy if it is for natural foods. You also would not need to promote much if you had an in with the school districts. I would see if they have such vending machines at all and what you could do to get a contract if you build this all out.
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Q3: What could I do to keep the cost to consumers low?
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by Economist07.17.08 | 10:08 PMYou have to show the school districts and parents that organic food or snacks are much better for the student’s performance and behavior. Having a better performance and behavior of students means lower costs for the schools therefore, the school or the city should be able to subsidies you to make affordable to students. It would not be hard to convince the parents or the school district that chemicals, colors, and preservatives are not good for the body. There is a study that was done on something similar in one of the schools in U.S. Good luck!!!
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Q4: How can I prevent issues such as spoilage since most natural food contain little or no presevatives?
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07.28.08 | 08:11 PMYou may want to look into selling only foods that can be pasteurized. All foods eventually spoil, so the key is to pasteurize the foodstuffs long enough to last in the vending machine. Also, foods with high acidity will most likely last for quite a long time. Look into foods that historically have not needed refrigeration. Those will have natural anti-spoiling mechanisms already within the foods themselves.
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What advice do you have to help me grow my idea?
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by amackens08.14.08 | 08:41 PMHi Elizabeth! My vending company has been doing healthy vending since 2003. If you want to chat, I can give you some advice on what and what not to do. Certain products sell better than others in schools and we have that data. Anyway, I'm all for spreading the healthy vending idea, so let me know if you want to talk. I might be able to save you months of mistakes. :-) andy@andymackensen.com. Talk to you soon!.
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by spk200808.14.08 | 09:59 AMLiz, I'd check out www.healthyvending.com. They work with entrepreneurs such as yourself to ensure that you set-up a successful program including the right machines, technologies, products, etc. They've been doing it since 2003 and I know people close to the company. Ask for Andy, he's one of their sales reps and is a really nice guy. Don't go into this blind when you do not have to. Good luck!
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by Taminar07.30.08 | 09:14 PMIf there is a way to split profits with the schools that allow your vending machines on site, that would probably help sell them on the idea. It's also good P.R. to say that you're profit sharing with our educational system.
Send press releases to announce everything! Announce the start-up of your business, each and every contract you sign (with both the vendors you'll be stocking and the locations that will install your machines), new employees, everything. You never know when your local paper or TV station will need a short business item to fill space in the paper. If you write your release in the style of a news article, they may publish it verbatim.
Meet with the PTA at each school you want to interest in your machines. The support of parents and teachers will mean a lot. Take samples of the nutritious snacks for them to try. Create a website where parents, students, and schools can read the nutritional information and prices of the available snacks, as well as where machines are located.
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07.23.08 | 08:01 PMLocal school districts can be a hard market to crack. You might be better off starting at the college level, or seeking appointments with companies that practice sustainability. Start with local businesses, a hometown advantage can be a big plus.
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07.22.08 | 09:15 PMHi Liz :),
You could offer for small business such as mine ( www.StretchThatDollar.com ) to feature an article on it in exchange for you advertising for them in return such as have a 'sponsor' page that features names of sites who have helped you in various ways.
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07.14.08 | 03:31 PMI'd try to learn more about what others are doing in the space....
For example: http://www.organicvending.net/data/
and another, http://www.vendingconnection.com/healthyvending.html
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07.14.08 | 03:04 PMThe opportunity outweighs the threats in my opinion. And NOW is the best time to get this venture rolling. One opportunity that comes to mind is based on the success of an organization that made a presentation recently here in Philadelphia (at Ignite Philly). They are The Food Trust. They found that new healthy grocery stores thrive in downtown neighborhoods and inner cities. There is something just so appealing about a healthy food if there is very little in the area to begin with. Check them out here:
http://ignitephilly.org/ -- Then click "Food Trust" on the right side
http://www.thefoodtrust.org/
By the way, I heard a student from Texas Christian University present his "moist granola" product in Chicago last year. I did my 5-step taste test, and recommend that you check into it.
http://www.andersontrail.com/
http://www.fwbusinesspress.com/display.php?id=7620
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07.14.08 | 03:01 PMI think kids and parents would support this idea immensely if promoted the right way. Here is an article that tells you about similar initiatives in CA and Washington states.
http://www.grinningplanet.com/2006/05-02/healthy-school-lunch-article.htm
To increase the appeal, you can probably have these organic food sourced from within the community. This way, you can also have some of your costs cut down. But then you will have to ensure that food is grown, cooked and packed in a hygienic manner.
Good luck!
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07.14.08 | 02:51 PMMaybe you should contact Nature Valley or Whole Foods. Maybe if you partnered their products up with a vending company, you could be on your way. Staying exclusively with one vendor (i.e. Nature Valley) might also give you the capital power of their company for promotion. They probably already have a marketing company and this would just be another weapon in their arsenal for what they can use to promote...hence do the work for you.
Idea Description
The junk food and empty calories sold in vending machines in schools fail our children. It is difficult to find healthy, organic alternatives to be served. Remembering back as a kid I often did not want the lunch that was served but there was no other option than chips and a candy bar. Have you ever been in a airport or hospital and you want a piece of fruit or healthy snack and all that is available is something that may require Pepto Bismol?
I would love for kids to have healthy alternatives in our schools and the rest of us to have choices as well.
What will you do if you win $10,000 for this idea?
Contact organic wholesalers such as Tree Of Life, UNFI, and Gutino. I would purchase vending machines and locate them in middle and high schools in my area. If successful I would love to expand to other schools and to hopitals and businesses.
You like it. You’re confused by it. You want to know more. Ask questions and post comments here.
Post a commentI like your idea; I want to improve your odds of getting funding I will vote for your idea if you will vote for mine. My idea is for a web site that raises money for inventors and entrepreneurs called New Idea website Check out my idea blob submission and visit New Idea Website and see what I can do for you. http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/4060-NEW-IDEA-WEBSITE The need for jobs is one of the biggest problems that a democratic government faces because creating jobs is an unwanted byproduct of business and industry. The reason I say its unwanted is the more jobs a business creates the more its expenses are and the smaller it’s bottom-line. If business and industry have their way they would run their companies with no jobs at all no management or labor. To deal with this dilemma I pr…moreopose a federal venture capital carrot fund that literally pays entrepreneurs to create jobs. The investment bank would be expected invest in seed level startup projects like yours and to lose money at a specified dollar per jobs ratio for example during hard times that figure may be as high as $20,000 per job and good times the figure may be as low as five dollars per job, by controlling this ratio the fed could roughly control unemployment. The bank will be expected to fund novel products and services and stay away from things like restaurants that will simply draw jobs from other restaurants or moving factories from one part of the country to another. If you like this idea vote for it and send the congressional letter from the website. Sincerely Frank Scruggs
A company called YoNaturals (<a href="www.yonaturals.com">www.yonaturals.com</a>) has been doing this for a while, and even targets junk food vending for extinction with initiatives like <a href="www.schoolhealthyvending.com">www.schoolhealthyvending.com</a>
since 2003 a company has already been doing this - www.healthyvending.com. they used to be owned by Fit Fuel but h.u.m.a.n. (helping unite man and nutrition) recently bought them out. they might be able to work with you Liz, check it out and good luck!
YAY Liz!!! We are sooo happy for you. (((HUGS))), - Denise http://www.StretchThatDollar.com .
Great Idea. I just had to mention it again. Take Care from SA member - Victoria99
Just be sure someone maintains constant functioning of the machines! We had one in our Nordstrom employee lounge that dispensed frozen Amy's Organic Meals, which are produced locally in Sonoma County. It was a great option since the entire food court in our mall was replaced by a clothing store. But Amy's upgraded(?) the machine to only accept credit cards and the swiper thing NEVER worked. They lost so many sales after that change- and eventually the healthy vending machine was replaced by a **** soda pop one.
thats rockin. do it.
nice idea. Too bad you have to beg on another website (OLS) for votes
This is a wonderful idea! I hope this is something that comes to fruition.
Fantastic idea!
MoreNingDew here. My whole family is behind you on this one....what a great idea!
Liz, This idea is revolutionary! I just wish I would of thought of it first. lol Vending Machies for Schools that have Healthy Lunches - Perfect! A dream come true for parents. This could even work really well in companies! Great Work and Good Luck. Victoria99 (SA)
although my idea as a finalist (j5uh Raising Money for Charity through music) did not win, im glad that a worthy cause WILL! I was becoming very aggravated and upset, not because we were losing, but because we were losing to pathetic "unapologetic radical feminists" and horny lingerie lovers. congratulations on the victory.
Great idea, good luck! :-)
That's a fantastic idea Liz!
Right on! Start them out right when they are young and healthy eating can have a maximum impact on future health and longevity!
Excellent idea...school districts would have a viable option to put healthy type snacks in place for students that are not only healthy but tasty. Kids wouldn't feel as if they are being deprived because they would have many options and choice is always empowering.
regardless if other companies are doing this or not it is not a common idea and is GREAT and so so needed in schools!
Really love your ideal! i think it's going to be a huge hit, as well as something that's really needed!! Good luck!!
What a fabulous idea! Our society has so many health issues because of our food choices. Good for you for thinking this one up and pushing to make it happen. You got my vote!!!
What a Really wonder idea I hope you can win and put this into action!
This is such a needed thing in the school system. Good Luck!
Hey Liz, shoppinqueen here, this is an excellent idea, my son is exposed to such unhealthy food choices on campus, having healthy alternatives in vending machines would be awesome!
What an excellent idea - I hope you have the chance to implement it!
What a great idea as a parent of a child who had dietary problems and the constant battle with the school cafeteria's to conform to what he could eat or make special provisions. About time we take a stand.
Great idea - you can make the vending machine "cool" looking on the outside with bright colors or cartoon characters - to tempt the kids away from the chips.
That is a wonderful idea! Not everyone is a junk food junkie!
Splendid idea! We are constantly reminded that Kids are becoming more and more overweight - w/o mentioning diabetic, yet manufacturers are busy turning them into sugar addicts at an ealy age..... This idea could very well turn things around. I wish you the best of luck - you deserve it!
I think this is a most wonderful idea! And would have comment before on it, but they change everything, so wasn't sure how till today! My girls are into healthy, organic foods, but schools don't do a great job there! It's pizza sloppy joes ectra! We need something like your idea to supply the schools! GL on a great idea!
Beyond schools, this is something that would be fanastic in places with limited food selections, like airport terminals and bus stations. Grown-ups like healthful food, too!
Voted for you! Good luck!!
Excellent idea -Liz! Voted for you!
Great idea Liz! Diabetic children need better options to control their blood sugar! Best of luck!
Great idea Liz! Miki
You got my vote, too. I think this is a wonderful idea. I have Celiac Disease, and it's almost impossible for me to find anything that I can eat in vending machines. When I travel I have to make my own snacks to take along, and if I run out of them before the end of a trip I just have to do without.
Yes! I love this idea and I truly support your efforts. I hope I see one soon in my office!
You got my vote!! That is an awesome idea!! Big HUGz! Jules
You got my vote! What a FANTASTIC idea!!
What a great idea. I hope you win and you can carry your idea further. KATE
You received my vote! Good luck!
You received my vote. Best of luck and God Bless!
you have my vote! I love it! wish this was available at TRAVEL REST STOPS as well! GOOD LUCK! I HOPE YOU WIN! its a win win situation
great Idea! you got my vote ! cindy's hubby !
thats a totally awesome idea !!!!!!!! :)
You should check out www.earthpure.org and their program earthpure ONE (organic nutrition and Education)
That is a great idea! I would love to have one in our office!
With the high level of obesity in the US today, I think this is a must have in all schools. This gives kids a healthy option instead of chips, or candy. Plus, parents can guide their kids to choose from these healthy items instead of unhealthy sweet, or salty foods.
I'm familiar with yonaturals.
I'm familiar with yonaturals.
There is a company doing this called YoNaturals www,yonaturals.com
Wonderful idea... us vendor feeders need better selections !!! OLS OCKS !!
Did you post this idea before? It seems familiar
This is an idea whose time has come, finally! Schools would be a good start, but I would also like to see such machines almost anywhere there are vending machines, including college campuses, hospitals and airports. I am particularly thinking of times when I was stuck somewhere with vending machine junk as my only option, and I needed nutrition. How wonderful of you to think of a healthful alternative.
Liz that is a wonderful idea. They so need something like this and as a grandma of 3 I would be glad to pay for my grandkids lunches so they could have healthy organic food at school!