Have Chicagoans become more health-conscious when it comes to their snacks?
Nearly 90 percent of respondents to a recent Northwestern University study said they are happy with the Chicago Park District’s new vending machines that offer only healthy choices, the Chicago Tribune reported. Individual machines’ average monthly revenue jumped to $371 from $84 “in a little over a year,” according to the Trib.
Healthy options in the vending machines include baked potato chips, pretzels, dried fruits and nuts.
“People are going to buy something, regardless, when they’re hungry,” said Maryann Mason, a research assistant professor at NU’s Feinberg School of Medicine. “When you have a mix of healthy and less healthy items they might be reluctant to try something new, but in this case all the choices are healthier.”
-Tom Butala