FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Charleston, SC Schools 'Eat Up' Healthy Vending as Seven Area Schools Install Healthy Snack Machines - Local Cancer Survivor to Donate 1% Sales to Breast Cancer Research As health consciousness sweeps the nation, seven area schools near Charleston embrace the idea that they can take an active role in improving the health and wellness of their students. The new Vend Natural snack and drink machines have exceeded sales expectations and more are planned to be installed soon. The local Vend Natural business owner and breast cancer survivor, Jan Moore, feels so strongly about the program that she is announcing that 1% of sales will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer research. "Our Vend Natural machines are exceeding our expectations, as the kids are enjoying the new product selection and the school is enjoying a stronger revenue stream from commissions than anticipated. We are thrilled." Robin Rogers, Principal, Hanahan Charleston, SC schools have embraced healthy vending and early results from machines sales indicate a strong appetite for the all-natural and organic snacks and beverages in new, state-of-the-art vending machines, announced Vend Natural. Vend Natural, one of the fastest-growing healthy vending companies in the U.S., has installed machines in six Charleston area schools with more scheduled installations in the coming weeks. These schools are a model for the state and the country, which is facing skyrocketing rates of obesity for both adults and teenagers. Over the past several months, six schools in Charleston area Berkeley County school district - including Hanahan Middle and High School, Sangaree Middle, Westview Middle, Sedgefield Middle and College Park Middle - have installed new state-of-the art Vend Natural healthy vending machines as part of a strong commitment to wellness for students, staff and visitors. A seventh school in the Berkeley school district – Cane Bay Middle School – is scheduled to install a healthy vending machine in the coming weeks. The Vend Natural dual-zone machines carries a wide selection of both refrigerated drinks and ambient temperature snacks such as all natural chips and popcorn, low fat health bars, organic fruit smoothies, natural coconut water and more. All of the products available through Vend Natural meet or exceed federal, state and school nutritional standards for calories, fat, vitamins, fiber, sodium and more. Commenting on the newly-installed machines, Hanahan Middle School's Principal Robin Rogers said, "This new vending solution was a top priority for our school to ensure that all of our students have access to healthier snacks and drinks with better nutritional components, which we know is crucial for learning." He continued, "Our Vend Natural machines are exceeding our expectations, as the kids are enjoying the new product selection and the school is enjoying a stronger revenue stream from commissions than anticipated. We are all thrilled and hope to see more schools in Berkeley and other neighboring school districts follow our lead." Vend Natural, founded by company CEO Gil Sanchez, is one of the fastest-growing healthy vending companies in the U.S. and was formed to address the declining health of our nation and skyrocketing teenage and adult obesity rates by providing healthier snacking alternatives to schools, hospitals and businesses. The company's mission is to support improved eating practices by offering healthy products that are easily accessible and affordable to everyone. Managing Vend Natural of the Carolinas is entrepreneur and breast cancer survivor Jan Moore. Jan's personal story is compelling. Like many southerners, Jan was raised on fast food and southern style cooking. In 2007 and with no family history, Jan was suddenly diagnosed with breast cancer. Early detection and medical treatment saved her life and she is now cancer free. This experience compelled Jan to learn more about the impact and importance of good nutrition on health and motivated her to change her own and her family's diet. Jan commented, "My unexpected battle with cancer opened my eyes to the role that diet plays in overall health and wellness. As a fast-food kid my whole life, it didn't occur to me that diet could contribute to poor health. Now, I know all too well how essential it is to eat well for life. I knew that joining Vend Natural in Charleston would be a way to provide others in our community with access to healthier snacks and drinks, which is so important. I have even seen a major, positive change in my daughter's ADHD since bringing home healthy snacks from our vending machines." She continued, "To make that connection even clearer, I will donate 1% of sales from Vend Natural healthy vending to Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer research. It is my hope that more schools, hospitals and businesses join with me in the battle for better health and bring delicious and healthier snacks and drinks to Charleston's kids." Vend Natural is the only healthy snacking company in the country that not only partners with business owners coast to coast, but also owns and operates its own machines on the west and east coasts. This enables the company to test new equipment and products before full roll-out and provide the most relevant training and customer service operation for its distributors. "We don't just ‘sell' the business, we are IN the business, which makes us significantly more knowledgeable about what works and what doesn't," said Mr. Carpenter. Vend Natural also enjoys an exclusive relationship with Del Monte Fresh Produce to provide fresh cut apples, pineapples, carrots, celery, bananas and more, to their customers. Vending Machines Go Green: Good for the Body and the Planet Vend Natural's vending machines are not the old school machines you are used to. Today's state of the art vending machines are not just good for the body, but have gone "green." They feature: Energy efficient design, costing a third of what traditional machines cost to run. -More than 40% recycled metals. -Remote, internet-based monitoring systems, preventing unnecessary fuel costs and emissions to replenish products. -5 Star energy rating. About Vend Natural Vend Natural is America's fastest-growing healthy snacking company and is based in Ventura, California and Annapolis, Maryland. The company was inspired by the vision of helping to transform eating patterns by providing healthy snacking alternatives in convenient vending locations across America. Specializing in placements in schools, hospitals and businesses, Vend Natural currently operates more than 600 machines in 24 states and the District of Columbia with plans for significant growth over the next several years. The company is known for its innovative and environmentally-sensitive vending machine design offering state-of-the art, dual temperature-zoned, energy efficient machines that hold a large variety of both natural organic snacks and beverages. Vend Natural is also known for its fresh, bright, signature machine graphics featuring large, appealing illustrations of grapes, raspberries and its tag line, "Snack Better. Live Better." Vend Natural was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year award in Maryland for 2010. # # #