AusLeisure

Aiming to enhance healthy food choices options for members and users of the facilities that it manages, the YMCA Victoria recently introduced its YMCA Healthy Food and Beverage Policy.

To be implemented over three years in all YMCA Victoria managed sports and recreation facilities, camps and childcare centres, the Policy aims to improve the availability and promotion of healthy food choices and reduce the availability of less healthy choices.

Having discussed and developed the Policy with its suppliers through the current year, YMCA Australia Procurement Manager Nyrie Tickell explains “we have a number of pilots and menu changes to be rolled out in coming months.”

As part of this pilot program, vending machine supplier The Lean Machine Pty Ltd has installed a vending machine offering healthy snacks, sports nutrition and hydration options at the Cardinia Life/Pakenham YMCA.

The menu supplied in the unit has been assessed by the Healthy Together Healthy Eating Advisory Service delivered by Nutrition Australia Victorian Division, who are working with YMCA to provide healthier choices for all YMCAs.

At the launch of the pilot, attended by Olympic Gold medallist Michael Klim, Cardinia Life YMCA Manager Chris Hargraves recognised the support of their Council partner and the YMCA’s eagerness to continue to offer healthy options at the site.

The Lean Machine was co-foundered Jess Attenborough and Bronson Interlandi as a healthy snack and hydration vending machine company.

It came to their attention that there were not enough easily accessible healthy options available and that if the only option was a vending machine no there was usually no healthy options.

The Lean Machine offers organic, raw, natural, low GI, allergenic free products which are the healthiest in the snack range.

The pilot will run for the next three months with both the YMCA and The Lean Machine looking forward to a long partnership in providing healthy choices at YMCA-managed recreation facilities.

The YMCA works in over 700 communities across Australia, overseeing 112 health and fitness centres, 73 recreation centres, 176 aquatic facilities, 63 outdoor pools, 242 outside school hour care programs, 42 kindergartens, 23 early learning centres, 19 campsites, 19 disability services and a handful of other leisure industry facilities including two golf courses and a sailing club.

It record 30 million annual participations in its programs and services while in Victoria, the YMCA Victoria engages in 2.5 million food and drink transactions and has previously sold 374,000 sugar sweetened beverages a year.

Image shows Michael Klim with Jess Attenborough and Bronson Interlandi at the launch of The Lean Machine vending machine at Cardinia Life/Pakenham YMCA. 

For more information on The Lean Machine Pty Ltd, click here to view their entry in the Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory.

11th April 2014 - VENDING GOES HEALTHY

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14th August 2012 - YMCA SAYS AUSTRALIA TOPS WRONG LEADER BOARDS

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