Top Trends in Franchising for 2011
Jolly Backer, CEO of Fresh Healthy Vending “weighs in” on new franchise trends that he foresees for this year and beyond.
“As part of our research prior to the launch of Fresh Healthy Vending in 2010 we did substantial research into the trends most likely to impact the franchise industry in the years ahead and the following is a ‘snapshot’ of what we found” notes Backer. Key franchising trends that we indentified fell into several categories but we see these three particular ones enjoying 7-10 years of robust growth before we start seeing any market saturation.
Innovative healthy food offerings
“Green” products and services
Health and wellness businesses
Impact of Fresh Healthy Eating and Learning
If you hear that fresh healthy eating equates to improved learning, would you start packing healthy lunches and snacks for your kids first thing tomorrow? With the growing cases of childhood obesity in the country, it is understandable how various sectors are rigorously lobbying for more nutritious foods for the kids. But other than ending childhood obesity, some wellness coordinators and school districts are already heavily implementing healthy feeding to its students. The reason: kids are having better behavior, enhanced school performance, and improved concentration when they eat healthy.
Of course, schooling has very high demands. Apart from having to consistently wake up early to avoid tardiness, kids are also subject to plenty of homework, projects, late-night study sessions, exams, and the list goes on. Without endurance and proper focused, it’s easier for any school kid to feel burnt out, confused, and might eventually result to dropping out for the school year.
Fresh Healthy Vending Foods in Schools
According to Philip Brasher on his report yesterday at The Des Moines Register Online, the government wants children to eat nutritious foods such as fruits and vegetables although it seems that they are putting the money where it is advice and expected to be. The U.S. Department of Agriculture spent buying the needs for healthy school lunches in a different manner. For every dollar spent, 55 cents went to chicken, beef and cheese and only 23 cents went to fruits and vegetables.
A group of lowa business leaders were stumped by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack when he asked them what was the single food item for schools that the U.S. Department of Agriculture spent the most on, and was answered, mozzarella cheese!
Obese Kids Prone to Bullying?
Bullies have been around for a very long time. Different kids, regardless of the difference, have always faced problems with bullies, and being overweight falls under the “different” category.
According to one study published in the “Pediatrics” journal, obese children in grades 3 through 6 are more likely to be bullied than children who aren’t overweight regardless of academics, social skills, race, or gender. The study showed that 45% of children in these grades were bullied with obese children being 63% more likely to be bullied.
Fresh Vending Machines Coming to Schools Nationwide
img class=”size-medium wp-image-1534″ src=”http://www.freshhealthyvending.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/healthy-vending-machine1-148×300.jpg” alt=”" width=”148″ height=”300″ />“Eat ‘Em Like Junk Food.” This is the eye-catching slogan you will on the vending machines installed on September 17 in both Mason High School, in Mason, Ohio and Fayetteville-Manlius High School in Syracuse, New York as part of the healthy public relations campaign of Bolthouse Farms— Bakersfield, California-based grower. Indeed, there is no stopping healthy vending machines in coming to schools nationwide to promote healthy eating habits to children.
Though President Obama has earlier seek the improvement of child nutrition by eliminating junk food options in vending machines and replacing them with healthier options, there have been several moves among business owners targeting healthy changes in vending machines. This comes right in time when childhood obesity in America has gone uncontrollably higher in the recent years.
Healthy Vending Machines in Schools for 2010
As the intense drive to curb childhood obesity continues across the nation, campaign and the study against the epidemic strengthens anew. Different programs, posters, advertisements, national and local awareness plan and other healthy meal and vending options abound in order to get the message to children in schools and to their parents.
Parents will have their peace of mind when it comes to food being served to their children in school. More and more educational institutions are offering healthy vending machines effective this school year 2010. Considering the busy schedules of parents, mostly do not prepare lunches and snacks for their kids and rely on the most convenient and accessible accessory in school, the vending machines. Previously vending machines are said to be the main contributor of obesity factor to children. As the rate of childhood obesity increases globally, programs and policies on local communities, state, and nation have been implemented to make sure that kids are eating nutritious and healthy foods in school.
Vending Machines: Consumer Perceptions Are Changing
When we think of a typical vending machine, we conjure up images of salty chips, sweetened sodas and fruit juices, candies and chocolate bars, and ice cream—the kinds of food that give us excess fat that are just so hard to burn and impacts the increasing obesity rate and health care industry of America. But the good news is more and more people are starting to become aware of their health and know that junk foods are killing children’s lifestyle choices. Hence, the clamor for fresh healthy vending machines is increasing, too—much to the positive interest of both the vending machine franchise owners and the consumers who are looking for healthier alternatives.
In the recent findings of the Centers for Disease Control as many as two-thirds of adults in the U.S. are overweight or obese. This translates to the fact that almost 200 million overweight or obese people, and the number is expected to increase because the number of overweight and obese children 6 to 19 years old has tripled over the past 25 years. For this reason, President Obama, at the onset of his administration, vehemently called for the overhauling of vending machines in school campuses to include more nutritious products and replace junk foods.
Fresh Healthy Vending as an Important Alternative To Junk Food
A convenient society—this is perhaps the most applicable title that best describes America. The land has seen such incredible progress in years that everything seemed so effortlessly accessible and expedient for every consumer, from cell phones to pre-made foods, to online shopping, to self-checkout grocery lanes, etc. While this development is good and aimed at the best interest of every American resident, the downside unwittingly impacts the entire population. This negative backlash pertains to the prolific availability of vending machines, which has contributed to the growing obesity problem of America. And who wouldn’t be alarmed with the obesity crisis, now already regarded as an epidemic affecting particularly the children population?
The frenzied pace of the society has made every working family rely more on quick and instant solutions at meal time. Employees rush themselves during lunchtime and go to the nearest vending machine for some chips and sodas while lacking the time to go on some exercises; students in school campuses treat vending machines their gastronomic savior during every meal time; and other adults couldn’t just resist the temptation of vending machines in public places whether they are saving or splurging for meals. All are in the glorious name of fast and hassle-free access of food. Sadly, this has made America one of the most obese nations in the globe.
Corporate Wellness Programs Including Healthy Vending to Lower Insurance Rates
Sedentary lifestyles, junk food vending machines, greasy fast food ala cart menu, and unhealthy school and workplace cafeteria meals; these are some of the frequently-mentioned contributing factors to the soaring rate of obesity in the country. And often said, continue to hurt the nation’s health care cost due the number of illnesses associated with uncontrollable weight gain.
In South Dakota, obesity rate has soared from 13 percent to more than 30 percent since 1995, making the state the ninth worst in the country in terms of highest obesity rate. According to Dr. Stephanie Broderson, the loss of farm labor, which used to be a good activity to keep youth in top shape, is partly seen to impact the self-reported obesity rate among its residents. Meanwhile, a CDC (Centers for Disease Control) report discloses that South Dakotans eat the least amount of vegetables in the nation, which somehow help explains the increased obesity cases compared to its neighboring states.
Children Getting Healthier in Schools?
For parents the best you can offer your child or invest in their future is by choosing the best educational institution for them. It is the most important decision a parent can do. As parents, we know for a fact that the school environment affects a child’s growth-emotionally, mentally, physically- making up a unique individual.
The dilemma now is, are we really sure that our child is getting all the needed nurturing and proper healthy foods in schools? Nurturing here means if your child is being offered a curriculum and food necessary to their well-being. Remember that all schools are not the same so it is better for parents to know what the school is offering your children.