News
Montgomery County Council unanimously passes vending machine legislation
April 18, 2017
On April 18, the Montgomery County Council unanimously approved Bill 1-17 that will expand healthy drinks and snacks offered in county vending machines. At least 50 percent of items in machines will meet American Heart Association recommended nutrition standards for sugar, salt, fat and other measures, and every drink machine will offer bottled water. The legislation will be enacted for any vending machine service contract entered into on or after July 1, 2017.
For the next two years, 50 percent of snacks in machines on county property need to meet American Heart Association recommended nutrition standards for sugar, salt, fat and other measures. After that, the percentage of healthy food and drink offered will be required to rise to 65 percent.
The bill’s lead sponsor was Councilmember George Leventhal (D-At Large). Councilmembers Roger Berliner (D-District 1), Marc Elrich (D-At Large), Tom Hucker (D-District 5), Nancy Navarro (D-District 4), Craig Rice (D-District 2) and Hans Riemer (D-District 15) were co-sponsors.
Almost one in four children in Montgomery County is not able to maintain a healthy weight. This rate outpaces the national average. More than half of all adults in the county are not keeping a healthy weight.
Several advocacy groups including the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and Real Food for Kids Montgomery were involved in championing this legislation.