Washington State County First in Nation to Embrace NAMA's New 'Fit Pick' Program

April 17th, 2008

Chicago, April 17, 2008 -- The National Automatic Merchandising Association's new Fit Pick nationwide health-oriented vending program has been launched in Clark County, Washington, NAMA President Richard M. Geerdes has announced.

Fit Pick includes a host of vending materials designed to educate consumers about products that meet specific nutritional standards, and is being launched in Clark County by Community Choices and the Steps to a Healthier Clark County Initiative.

"This is the first truly nationwide and industry-wide comprehensive program we're aware of," Geerdes said. "It demonstrates how committed the vending industry is to listening to our consumers and to be in the vanguard of those providing practical and common sense solutions to the nation's growing concern about health and wellness issues."

The NAMA Fit Pick program includes two nutrition standard choices:

* Fit Pick Standard -- Products that have less than 35 percent fat, less than 10 percent saturated fat, and less than 35 percent total weight in sugar -- with nuts and seeds excluded.

* The Alliance for a Healthier Generation Standard -- This standard begins with the 35-10-35 guidelines mentioned above, but adds caps on sodium, trans-fat and calories.

Each Fit Pick package provides all the materials necessary to implement that particular standard. The program includes stickers that can be placed in front of qualifying products, thin clings that explain the nutrition standard, coin slot stickers and round stickers to help educate consumers, and a list of products that meet the specified nutrition standard.

In addition to the materials created by NAMA, the Clark County team created a website, machine top signs, posters, postcards, table tents, and a 65-page toolkit for vending companies and consumer sites.

The Clark County initiative includes local work sites, schools, government agencies, food distributors and the four largest vending operators in the area. The team was facilitated by the Steps to a Healthier Clark County Initiative and Community Choices, a Clark County-based nonprofit, advocacy group for healthy communities.

"We are very pleased that the work of our local team will benefit not only our community, but can potentially help other organizations and communities across the country," said Barbe West, executive director of Community Choices. "The Fit Pick site and materials provide a complete, cost-effective, step-by-step roadmap for organizations, communities, or vending operators that want to incorporate healthier options in the vending machines, but don't know how or where to start."

Fit Pick is the latest health and wellness tool created by NAMA as part of its Balanced for Life national health and wellness initiative. Launched in 2005, the campaign is designed to address the nation's rising obesity rates by educating people about the elements of a balanced diet and the importance of physical activity.

Concluded Geerdes, "Across the country, organizations are looking to integrate health and wellness into their vending programs, but typically they have no idea where to begin or how to do it. Our Fit Pick program is easy to use and can help anyone with vending machines promote products that meet specific nutrition guidelines. We applaud Clark Country for showing such initiative on this project, and for working so hard to improve the health of its citizens."

For more information or to order Fit Pick materials visit www.fitpick.org.