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Boise City Council considers limiting unhealthy food in vending kiosks

The Boise City Council is considering reducing the amount of unhealthy foods in vending kiosks by requiring owners to provide healthy snacks as 10 percent of kiosk items.

September 28, 2015

The Boise City Council is considering reducing the amount of unhealthy foods in vending kiosks by requiring owners to provide healthy snacks as 10 percent of a kiosk's items, according to a reportby KBOI 2. The plan defined health food as having 250 calories or less per package.

"It's something that's being done all over the country," said Rebecca Lemmons, a policy analyst for Central District Health. "Council member Thomson and I found over 69 other city, state and national organizations that have implemented these exact same standards."

The plan, if put into place, would affect vendors at concessions and at city-sponsored events. However, with concessions at Zoo Boise and the Boise airport, the plan would only take effect after the current vendor contracts expire.

"Of course, the goal here is to impact community health," TJ Thomson, Council member, said. "But we think that it also will do a lot to create greater demand for healthy foods and beverages within our community."

The total cost of the plan is estimated between $10,000 and $20,000.