food4health range

A new trial hopes to change the way people snack on the go by installing vending machines stocked only with natural fruit and nut lines.

Food4Health, set up by Shropshire Council's Help2Change team, is working with Peterborough-based Delicious Ideas Food Group (DIFG) to create an own-label healthy grab'n'go range to sell from vending machines in selected Shropshire sites.

'In most vending machines, snacks high in saturated fats, salt, and sugar are often the only choice for consumers - a contributing factor to the UK's growing obesity crisis,' said DIFG chief executive Jonathan Potter. 'Our creation of a new, high-protein fruit, nut and seed range to encourage better eating habits is a small step that encourages healthier living.'

The trial is initially focused at three libraries in Oswestry, Shrewsbury and Ludlow, but if successful the council hopes the machines could be rolled out to other venues in Shropshire including more libraries, fitness centres, gyms and other communal areas with high footfall.

Kevin Lewis, from the Help2Change team, added: 'People are tempted by chocolate bars, by crisps, by fizzy drinks full of sugar. We are trying to buck that trend and give people access to a healthy range of snacks through vending machines in public buildings.'

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