Parents Try Out LLA's Organic Vending Machine Choices

Parents curious about the snacks their children are eating during the school day at Loma Linda Academy (LLA) Jr. High got the chance earlier this month to try them out for themselves. During a parent/teacher meeting at the school on Nov. 7 the school's healthy snack food distributor, Acima Food Services' vending division, held a snack expo and invited parents to not only see, but also taste, the snacks - vegan and organic - their kids are eating. "We wanted parents to see and taste these snacks their kids are buying, and also for kids to try new brands. They taste just as good as any other snacks, just (with) less sodium and other junk," said Carlos Reis, a key account manager with Acima Food Services. The snack expo, the first the school has held, was "a way to let [parents] know we're hearing them," said LLA Jr. High Vice Principal Elizabeth Muñoz Beard. Heeding requests presented by parents and also LLA's desire to encourage a healthy lifestyle (the school also offers vegan lunches), LLA Jr. High began working with Acima in the 2011-2012 school year, explained Muñoz Beard. "It was progressive. It developed," she said. The decision to implement healthier snack options came from a "combination of being a health-conscious campus, parent input and the students' needs." Loma Linda is famous for its health consciousness, including the vegan diets of many residents and the prominence of the Loma Linda University Medical Center's influence, and the city is designated as one of the world's Blue Zones. "A majority of the parents work in the area, and are health-conscious or are health practitioners, and we wanted to work in their desire for their children to eat health-conscious snacks," said Muñoz Beard. Healthy vending machine choices include vegan and organic snacks by California snack companies including Lenny & Larry, Cool-Cups Gel, Snikiddy Snacks and BareFruit. Snacks include apple chips, vegan jellos and chips. This year, shared Muñoz Beard, Loma Linda Academy High School also began offering these healthier snack options. "Organic and natural snacks have come a long way," said Reis. "They taste good and have nutritional value. There was a time when health snacks were just trail mix and granola bars; well, times have changed." Getting the kids on board with the change wasn't a challenge, Muñoz Beard said. "We eased into the program. I haven't heard kids complaining, and I don't think there has been a significant impact as far as [decrease in snack sales]. They're pretty tasty - I've tried them myself." [END] Beginning of Cristina's article: Acima Food Srvcs/ VENDING Division, holds its Snack Expo at LLA, during parent teacher meetings. They are the Vending machines service providers for the schools and modern machines and dependable daily service. They featured local California Snack companies. They wanted parents to see and taste new Vegan, Natural and Organic Snacks that are now offered at schools vending machines. The point of bringing the snacks to these parent teacher meetings was that they wanted parents to see and taste these snacks their kids are buying. Also for kids to try new brands that are healthier than normal household vending brands. Carlos Reis, the founder of Acima Food Srvcs said,"It was a way to get kids to try these independent snack brands, pull them away from the conventional main stream snack: the brands that are loaded with sodium. Yes, house brands that are every where, but not good for you." Unlike national popular "trail mix' and granola bars, most of these snacks we carry are Monsanto/Cargill- GMO-FREE, Vegan or Organic. Acima Food Srvcs/ VENDING Division, holds its Snack Expo at LLA, during parent teacher meetings.We are the Vending machines service providers for the schools. We offer nice modern machines and dependable daily service. Acima Food Srvcs/ VENDING Division, holds its Snack Expo at LLA, during parent teacher meetings. We featured local California Snack companies. Makers healthy, natural, vegan and organic SNACKS: Lenny&Lerry, Cool-Cups Gel, Snikiddy snacks, BareFruit, apple chips and others. We wanted parents to see and taste these snacks their kids are buying. Also for kids to try new brands.They taste just a good as any other snacks, just less sodium, and all the other junk. It was a great success as parents and students got a chance to taste many of the new Vegan, Natural and Organic Snacks, now offered at schools Vending Machines. We hope to to one of these SNACK EXPOs at LLU, and Med Center. Hello? Anyone? We work to place more machines in other facilities and grow. Our first class service is key to our success. Our women and men driver are uniformed, knowledgeable and stock machines daily.Call me directly at 909 855.2092, we come to you with samples and information. We offer a huge selection and a program that is lucrative for you as well. Carlos Reis, Founder "It was a way to get kids to try these independent snack brands, pull them away from the conventional main stream snack: the brands that are loaded with sodium. Yes, house brands that are every where, but not good for you. Naturally, people buy brands they know. But unfortunately they are the least good for you. Loaded with sodium and preservatives. Parents: We wanted parents to see and taste the snacks their kids are buying when they ask for snacks money. We want to be the game changers. We want to change the way people see vending machines. There is a stigma about vending machines. Machines aren't bad - only choices put on them. But also Christian life is about making the right choices. We walk the isles of a grocery store and make choices. Vending machines are the same.As a client, Its is about what you choose. We work for you. You tell us what you want. "The kids are all right" We embraced the vision of headmaster Herrmann and principal Day - Loma Linda Academy is the last frontier to stand for what we believe. LLA students are intelligent and bright. They demand good too. We now offer a Blue Zone vending selection at the schools.Healthy, natural, organic, vegan. www.acimacompany.com Organic and natural snacks have come a long way. They taste good and have nutritional value. Look at "Lenny&Lerry" cookies, they are vegan and nutritious. There was a time when heath snacks were just "trail mix" granola bars - well, times have changed. IPS chips are egg white chips. Good protein, like eating a Cliff bar. Unlike national popular "trail mix' and granola bars, most of these snacks we carry are Monsanto/Cargill- GMO-FREE, Vegan or Organic. Real Seeds & grains, like God made it. Another presence was from our friends at "Cool-Cups Gel". They are gels (jello type) but w/o bone or animal fat. Certified Vegan.They use seaweed instead. It was a BIG hit. Kids were all over . The most popular item in this expo. Beverages and Snacks products: ACIMA offers 3 tiers of Vending selections for the client to choose. Conventional Regular snacks you see at Costco, etc. Blue Zone. Health and natural, organic, kosher, organic, vegan choices. Mixed A sensible mix of both, a way to change by offering choices. Christian life is about making the right choices. We walk the isles of a grocery store and make choices. Vending machines are the same.As a client, Its is about what you choose. We work for you. You tell us what you want for your machines. WHOLESALE As Authorized dealers,we also offer these natural snacks at WHOLESALE prices - Online - email us - call us. We hope schools and medical facilities will ORDER FROM US for their meeting and events. An alternative that is good for you, available in cases of 24 units. This will help our movement, get these goods on their tables at work & home. Carlos Reis ACIMA Co. Redlands, CA 909 8552092 Loma Linda Academy 10656 Anderson Street Loma Linda, CA 92354 909-796-0161 (Main Switchboard) 909-478-6829 (Fax number) Elementary Office ext. 1001 Junior High Office ext. 2200 High School Office ext. 3325 Advancement Office ext. 3313 Business Office Ext. 3351 Business Office Fax (909) 799•8049