YoNaturals Launches Healthy Vending Machines

(PRWEB) September 7, 2006 -- YoNaturals Inc. is pleased to announce the introduction of the YoZone, a vending machine that vends natural and organic snacks at dual temperature zones. Coinciding with the YoZone rollout, YoNaturals has named a world-renowned health and wellness expert as the nutritional advisor and consultant for the company’s healthy vending program.

The YoZone consists of customized location graphics to fit schools, offices, retail stores, health clubs or health/wellness locations. YoNaturals offers locations and operators more than 50 leading brands in the natural and organic retail sector and over 200 different products through an online ordering system where products can be delivered to a location or operator’s door in less than three days. Location specific product plan-o-grams also are available.

Every product in YoZones has been specially selected based on nutritional content and taste and most score high on the Nutripoints system based on its nutritional value. "The soaring growth in the natural and organic grocery sector has created an unprecedented consumer demand for healthier offerings and we believe the vending sector should jump on board," says Mark Trotter of YoNaturals. The company has studied the business models of Whole Foods, Wild Oats, Trader Joes and many other healthy retailers, which have demonstrated that consumers are willing to pay more for brands that they want, and believes that a similar business model will be equally successful in vending machines.

"Operators can charge more for healthy products and their sale through vending machines will increase operators’ revenue and margins across the board," Trotter said. "For once vending can be associated with a leading movement in consumer health and wellness. The YoZone generates a positive perception opening up tons of new location possibilities such as schools, health clubs, retailers and corporate environments where vending is now perceived in a negative light.

"Market research through machine testing indicates that better-for-you products should be sold separately from other food products." Trotter continued. "Just like in retail, customers expect natural and organic products from Whole Foods or Wild Oats and they expect to buy ‘less-than-healthy’ products at AM/PM or 7Eleven stores. With the YoZone branding, consumers can be assured that they are being offered a diverse range of natural and organic products from one machine. This helps promote repeat business."

To strengthen the rollout of the YoZone Healthy Vending Program, YoNaturals has named Dr. Roy Vartabedian, the New York Times best-selling author of Nutripoints, as its nutritional advisor and product consultant. Dr. Vartabedian is President of California-based Vartabedian & Associates, a consulting firm that promotes health and wellness programs to schools, corporations, hospitals and physicians nationwide.

"Having Dr. Roy join us in the fight against junk food in vending machines is significant because his expertise in developing nutritional programs is ‘second to none." Trotter said "Every product in YoZones has been specially selected based on nutritional content and taste and most score high on the Nutripoints system based on its nutritional value."

Dr. Vartabedian added: "We believe that the recent decision by major soft drink companies to voluntarily phase out many of their brands from middle and high schools created a significant opportunity for schools to ‘take control’ of their vending machines and offer healthier options for students and YoNaturals offers a singular solution to this issue offering the YoZone vending machine and full service food distribution for schools nationwide.

YoNaturals believes that all vending sites will be following this trend and offering their employees and customers healthier options and has developed a comprehensive program with the YoZone to help locations take control of one of a major nutritional issue.

"YoNaturals vending snack foods and drinks have been recognized as highly-rated nutritionally by Dr Roy. Nutripoints rates every food for it’s nutrient density, based on 26 key nutrients. The higher the Nutripoint score, the better the food. The goal is to eat at least 100 Nutripoints total each day, selecting from six food groups. When this goal is reached, people are assured their diet will meet or exceed the U.S. Recommended Daily allowances and recommendations of the American Heart Association and American Cancer Society.

"People need healthier options especially ones that offer low glycemic index (GI) and low sugar and fat contents.
And most importantly have high nutrient density and taste good states Dr. Roy. Considering that the vast majority of snacks and beverages in existing vending machines contribute to the obesity, diabetes and heart disease epidemics in the country today it’s critical that people seek out companies like YoNaturals."

The consumer quest for healthy lifestyle changes and nutritional influences has never been greater and companies like Whole Foods Market, Trader Joes and YoNaturals are at the forefront of this revolution."

A diet of five small healthy meals has been widely prescribed to provide people with more consistent energy to help them perform better, and even lose weight according to many dieticians and nutritionists so healthy snacking preferences are critical.

YoNaturals has focused its distribution efforts on people interested in identifying opportunities for healthy vending in their community. The majority of YoNaturals operators and locations are those that believe in the benefits of consumption of healthy snacks and beverages. "The fact that nutritionists and dieticians are telling their customers and clients about us is a great reward to us," said Mark Trotter of YoNaurals.

For more information please visit www.yonaturals.com 
or call Mark Trotter at (858) 794-9955 ext 102