By: Laura Flamm, M.S.P.H. – Director, Baltimarket and Food Access, Baltimore City Health Department

You would think that working for the Health Department would make you automatically healthy. I’m here to tell you that we are people too.

We’re people that get 3:00 sweet tooths. We’re people that have high hopes of packing a healthy lunch but end up going to the closest carryout. We’re people that have to decide whether to go to the closest market or spend more time and money going somewhere bigger and better.

We’re also people that struggle with heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. We’re people that want to see our kids and grandkids grow up. We’re people that want more life out of our years and more years out of our life.

Because of this, we are excited to lead the charge for healthy eating options in Baltimore. Two weeks ago, a crowd gathered in our own cafeteria to announce the citywide roll-out of Healthy Vending. By this spring, at least half of the snacks and all of the drinks you find in Baltimore City municipal buildings will be healthier items.

We’re talking hundreds of vending machines. The thousands of employees that go to those machines will have a healthy option so they can stay fueled for their busy days. They’ll be fueled by healthier items like baked chips, pretzels, protein bars, and hummus. And I can tell you from the samples that there is such a thing as a snack that is healthy and delicious!

So how do you find a healthy snack of your own?

If you work in a municipal building, your new machine will be coming soon. Get in touch if you want to do a kick-off event in your office. We can get the vendor out with snacks and we can get you some healthy eating materials.

If you work, study, or worship in a non-municipal building that has vending machines, you can make them healthier! And we can help. Send an email introducing yourself and we’ll get you information on starting your own Healthy Vending Policy.

If you’re a corner store snacker, we’re working with corner stores through our Healthy Stores Program. We have everything from advertising to toolkits for you to use if you ask us. But the first step is talking to your store owner. Sometimes having a customer ask for baked chips, bananas, or 100% fruit juice is all it takes.

What’s your favorite snack? Can you get it when and where you want it?