Across Victoria organisations have been making the change to increase availability and accessibility of healthier food and drink options and decrease availability and accessibility of less healthy food and drink options. VicHealth partnered with some of these leading organisations and Deakin University, to build the business case for the economic and health costs and benefits of implementing healthy food and drink policies in healthcare settings (Alfred Health) and sport and recreation facilities (YMCA Victoria, City of Melbourne & Melton City Council).
These evaluation summaries and infographics tell the stories of the impacts of implementing healthy food and drink choices from the perspective of the retailer, and provide recommendations for other organisations planning on undertaking similar policy changes in their settings.
Healthy Choices at Alfred Health
“Alfred Health introduced a healthy food and beverage policy in 2012, at three hospitals in south east Melbourne. They made changes in retail food outlets, vending machines and catering, to provide a greater range of healthy food and drink options using the traffic light classification system. Alfred Health’s largest retail food outlet was the focus of this research, which uncovers the impacts, challenges and recommendations for success when introducing healthier food and beverage options in similar settings.”
Download: Alfred Health evaluation summary
Download: Alfred Health evaluation infographic
Going soft drink free at YMCA Victoria aquatic and recreation centres
In 2014 YMCA Victoria initiated the ‘Soft Drink Free Summer’ campaign, which aimed to phase out regular soft drinks from all centres by December 2015. This research discusses the impact of this campaign, including the extent of implementation, change in customer drink purchases, potential financial impact and the customer response to the changes at several YMCA Victoria centres.
Download: YMCA Victoria evaluation summary
Download: YMCA Victoria evaluation infographic
Download: YMCA customer response evaluation infographic
City of Melbourne increases healthier choices at North Melbourne Recreation Centre
Following the development of its ‘Green Light Eat Right’ healthy food and drink policy in 2008, City of Melbourne began implementing the policy in North Melbourne Recreation Centre’s seasonal café in 2010. Evaluating the impact of these changes from the perspective of the retailer, this research summary outlines a number of useful recommendations for organisations planning to undertake similar policy changes to promote healthier choices.
Download: City of Melbourne evaluation summary
Download: City of Melbourne evaluation infographic
Melton City Council takes action on sugary drinks in sporting facilities
“Recent health statistics raised concerns for Melton City about diet behaviours in the community. As a result, the council took action to decrease the availability of unhealthy sugary drinks, and increase the availability of healthier drinks in their sporting facilities. This infographic summarises the key health impacts and learnings from the perspective of the retailer.”
Download:
Melton City Council evaluation infographic