Here's the skinny: Hollywood vending machines adding healthier choices

HOLLYWOOD —
Forget the chips and chocolate.
Vending machines at City Hall – and all city-owned buildings in Hollywood -- will soon display smarter, healthier choices.

Think apple crisps, granola bars and herbal teas.

High-calorie goodies like Doritos and M&Ms won't disappear, but there will be fewer of them thanks to a new deal with Miami-based Gilly National, the city's vending machine supplier.

"Now, when you're visiting City Hall or one of our community centers or parks, you'll be able to get snacks and drinks that are actually good for you," says Mayor Peter Bober, who came up with the idea.

Hollywood is one of the first cities in Broward County to follow the healthy vending machine trend sweeping the country, says Hollywood spokeswoman Raelin Storey.
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Healthy snacks should start showing up in the city's 45 vending machines in the next month. Later on, Gilly National also will be installing a few new vending machines to help trim civic waistlines.

"There will be a higher percentage of healthy options," Storey says. "Organic chips. Gluten-free bars. Cliff bars. Honest Teas."

At least 30 percent of the offerings in each machine will meet the American Heart Association's recommended standards for food and beverages offered in the workplace. Another 20 percent will meet at least one of the recommended standards.

John Passalacqua, a Hollywood resident and chair of the city's Planning & Development Board, says he thinks the switch to healthier fare is a good idea.

"Anything that leads to a more healthy lifestyle, especially at snack time, that's perfect," he said.

But Commissioner Peter Hernandez isn't so sure anyone will notice, since the vending machines will still feature candy and other high-fat items.

Things might be different if the high-sugar candies were leaving the building.

"Oh yeah," he said. "If they couldn't get their sugar rush, they'd notice."