In my humble opinion, this move by Dole Food Company is a positive for the dairy industry. Notice that milk is included as a healthy food product. This is great!

Dole Food Company, a leading fresh fruit, vegetable and flower company, is launching a pilot program with US organizations that will put vending machines selling healthy food products into schools.

The US-based company said that the vending machines will supply Dole fruit and its branded Fruit Bowls, as well as cafeteria-prepared salads, sandwich wraps and milk. Dole claims this move gives school children greater access to healthy and nutritious foods. Dole said that the pilot vending machines will be placed in 15 schools across four states, including Colorado and Texas, in February. Dole hopes to expand the vending machine program to more schools in 2007.