Parents Try Out LLA's Organic Vending Machine Choices by Breeanna Jent - City News Group, Inc.

Community Calendar

MARCH
S M T W T F S
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
08 09 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31 01 02 03 04
View Events
Submit Events
directory

Parents Try Out LLA's Organic Vending Machine Choices

By Breeanna Jent, Staff Writer
November 20, 2013 at 12:00pm. Views: 137

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."

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: ChatGPT (AI-generated)

By Stella Price, Contributing Writer

March 3, 2026 at 12:18pm. Views: 944

Illustrative image of a happy family outdoors with one dog and one cat, both shown wearing pet insurance tags. Moreno Valley Animal Services and MetLife Pet Insurance form a unique partnership in an effort to remove adoption barriers.

Photo Courtesy of: City of Moreno Valley

By Ruby Stephenson, Contributing Writer

March 3, 2026 at 12:17pm. Views: 766

Moreno Valley residents are being invited to take an active role in shaping the city’s future, by serving on one of its Boards or Commissions, Mayor Ulises announced.

Photo Courtesy of: Loma Linda University Church

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

March 3, 2026 at 12:17pm. Views: 607

The student ensemble, directed by Michael Pichette, will be presenting a vespers program featuring reflective wind and percussion music that brings together students, families, and the local community.

Photo Courtesy of: Grand Terrace Titans

By Charmaine Mislang, Community Writer

March 3, 2026 at 12:17pm. Views: 935

Young athletes with the Grand Terrace Titans Jr. All American Football & Cheer sit together and smile for a group photo during practice, wearing team uniforms and bows, representing teamwork, confidence, and community spirit.

Cheerleading events feature cheer competition performances, where our athletes showcased their routines, teamwork, and dedication.

The football events focus on time spent together both on and off the field, competing, training, building brotherhood, and strengthening team bonds through shared experiences.

Photo Courtesy of: Grand Terrace Woman's Club

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

March 3, 2026 at 12:17pm. Views: 676

Members of the Grand Terrace Woman’s Club welcome community members during one of their Bingo Game Nights, which raise funds to support local outreach efforts while bringing residents together for an evening of fun and fellowship.

Photo Courtesy of: Youtube: IE Pulse

By Charmaine Mislang, Community Writer

March 3, 2026 at 12:17pm. Views: 1488

Colton firefighters respond to a hazardous hydrogen‑fuel tank explosion, quickly securing the scene and preventing further danger to the surrounding neighborhood.

Photo Courtesy of: CUSM

By Cynthia Baker, Contributing Writer

March 3, 2026 at 12:18pm. Views: 785

Taken on July 22, 2025: The MD class of 2029 MD took the Hippocratic Oath and received their white coats, symbolizing entrance into the medical profession.
"This class brings the largest number of Inland Empire-based students to a CUSM MD class," said Paul Lyons, MD, President and Dean of California University of Science and Medicine. "It is core to our mission to support the communities of the Inland Empire in terms of education and health accessibility. Admitting qualified IE-based students is a major part of bringing our mission to life."

Photo Courtesy of: San Bernardino County Department of Public Health

By Stella Pierce, Contributing Writer

March 3, 2026 at 12:18pm. Views: 697

Airbud, a tan Shepherd-mix dog, happily jumps up to play with a handler during outdoor enrichment time at the shelter, showing his energetic and playful personality.

Photo Courtesy of: City of Riverside, Fire Department

By William Cortez, Contributing Writer

March 3, 2026 at 12:18pm. Views: 536

City of Riverside Fire Department officials and city leaders stand in front of a fire engine, cutting a red ribbon to unveil new PumpPod equipment, during an outdoor ceremony on a sunny day.

Photo Courtesy of: ChatGPT (AI-generated)

By William Cortez, Contributing Writer

March 3, 2026 at 12:18pm. Views: 546

An AI-rendered image showing a person wearing a hood and gloves removing a property tax payment envelope from a blue mail drop box during low light conditions.

Photo Courtesy of: ChatGPT (AI-generated)

By Charmaine Mislang, Community Writer

March 3, 2026 at 12:18pm. Views: 774

AI-generated image of a family of four sitting at a kitchen table, looking together at a laptop while holding CalFresh informational materials and an application form. The adults and children appear engaged and focused, suggesting they are reviewing or applying for food assistance benefits.

Photo Courtesy of: Designed by Freepik

By Angela Giacobbe, Community Writer

March 3, 2026 at 12:18pm. Views: 586

An energetic group of friends stand outdoors, smiling and embracing in a moment of connection and support. Staying proactive about health—including routine colon cancer screening—helps ensure more moments like these for years to come.

--> -->