Healthy living through innovation
The solution was to innovate once again. We came up with a plan called the Lean Machine Way. We supply a school with a Lean Machine, a product list, and manual and then train the student council, or appropriate class, on how to operate the machine on their own. They run it, they learn the marketing, public relations and product knowledge, and they can create a community around it. To me, it was a win-win-win: we win because we would be able to service schools outside our immediate community and region; schools win because after they’ve paid off the initial investment, they start to collect higher profit margins – money they can put toward items or programs their school needs; and students win because they gain some hands-on business learning – not to mention some healthier snack options.
Lean Machine is proof that healthy living is good business. There are now roughly 80 machines operating from British Columbia to P.E.I. run by four franchises, each one dispensing around 600 healthy snacks every month. We still like to keep things local, even as we spread nationally, so at least 20% of the things people find in our machines – tasty snacks like cereal bars, pita chips, trail mix or fruit juices – are from local producers. From a humble beginning, we’ve expanded our services to now offer franchisees with brand and communication support in addition to direct consulting with a certified dietitian. The brand is supported by industry experts and has been recognized on a number of occasions based on business practices and ethics.
Making a difference
The response we’ve had back from people is excitement. When folks think of Lean Machine, they think of a healthy vending company, which doesn’t just mean we’ve branded ourselves properly, it means people realize that healthy living and healthy choices can be easier – that it’s possible to make convenience and health go hand-in-hand. Admittedly, there are still a lot of people don’t know this is a solution, so that means we still have a lot of work to do, but signs are encouraging, especially when young people in particular are reaching out to get in touch and learn more. Healthy living is about making choices, but those choices shouldn’t have to be difficult ones. Encouraging healthy living on a broad scale takes innovation, but I found through dogged determination to solve a major societal problem, one small step at a time, it is possible, profitable, and above all rewarding.
April’s Healthy Snacking Tips
- Avoid having ready-to-eat junk food in the house. If it’s there, you’re more likely to grab for it, especially if it’s easy to open and prepare. Instead, prep healthy foods, such as cut up veggies and dip. Have those foods ready to grab when your hunger hits.
- Find new healthy snacking recipes that actually excite you, instead of forcing yourself to have the same-old things you’d rather not eat. Check out innovative ideas on websites like Pinterest, or create a healthy snacking recipe swap with your friends.
- To keep it different, innovative and healthy, make a point of learning what snacks are seasonal and local. Make a trip out of going to a local market and getting excited about the fresh, seasonal options!
The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily imply endorsement by Manulife.
