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NAMA National Automatic Merchandising Association SCHOOLS EMBRACE BALANCED FOR LIFE

Schools Across the Country Communicate Campaign’s Messages of Nutrition and Exercise

CHICAGO, IL– From coast-to-coast, schools across the country have installed Balanced for Life machine clings, posters, brochures and stickers according to the results of a recent survey conducted by the National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) NAMA President and CEO Richard M. Geerdes, NCE announced today. Balanced for Life is the association’s health and fitness initiative launched in January, 2005, and underscores the importance of educating students about the elements of a balanced diet and physical activity.

In discussing the survey findings, Geerdes said, “We’re delighted to see so many schools using our campaign materials. When we launched our campaign designed to address the nation’s rising childhood obesity rates, one of our goals was to be part of the solution. Knowing that so many schools are using the program is gratifying because it means that our materials are working.”

According to the survey findings, Balanced for Life materials are being used by NAMA operator members in Colorado, Connecticut, California, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, New Mexico and Wisconsin. In addition, school administrators have requested Balanced for Life materials for schools in Iowa, Illinois, South Dakota, Idaho and Pennsylvania. The survey also showed that in Texas alone almost 100 schools are using the campaign literature.

Positive remarks about the campaign came from operators and school official alike as they responded to the survey. Joann Ricapito, Food Service Director at Lakeland Central School District said, “Balanced for Life is a great program and it should be used by schools. I especially like the campaign’s new Trivia Treasure Hunt game that teaches kids about nutrition and exercise, and NAMA should be commended for taking the initiative and creating this campaign,” she said.

NAMA Member Barbie Nesser of Sirness Vending wrote, “I am pleased to tell you that we put the Balance for Life program in our third school district. Word is out and we have more schools inquiring about the program.”

Materials available for schools include “Be a Smart Snacker!” multi-purpose stickers; machine clings featuring campaign characters AJ the Athlete, Healthy Hazel and Sean the Smart Guy, ‘Be A Smart Snacker!’ and ‘Snack Smart’ brochures, ‘Snack Smart’ posters, and a new Trivia Treasure Hunt where students can answer health and fitness questions to win prizes. The school findings are based on NAMA operators who responded to an e-mail from NAMA requesting information about where campaign materials are being used, and from school administrators who have ordered materials. For more information about the campaign or to request materials contact Jackie Clark at (301) 987-7113.

Concluded Geerdes, “We’re very proud of our Balanced for Life program and are delighted that so many schools have found our materials helpful.”

NAMA is celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2006. The organization is the national trade association of the food and refreshment vending, coffee service and foodservice management industries including on-site, commissary, catering, & mobile. Its membership is comprised of service companies, equipment manufacturers and suppliers of products and services to operating service companies. The basic mission of the association, to collectively advance and promote the automatic merchandising and coffee service industries, still guides NAMA today as it did in 1936, the year of the organization’s founding.


May 11, 2006