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April 6, 2017

Easy Ideas for Healthier Concession Stands

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Ideas for Healthy Concession Stands

For a lot of people, the idea of a healthy concession stand triggers this reaction: Here come the fun police to take everyone’s hot dogs away!

But you know me: I try very hard not to be the fun police. I’m also a realist. I know that concession stands generate much-needed funds for sports leagues and organizations–so it’s in their best interest to offer stuff that sells. But I also know that concession stands are usually devoid of anything remotely nutritious. So isn’t there room for compromise?

  You might also like: The Trouble With Concession Stands in Youth Sports

A new study offers some hope: Researchers from Cornell University and Iowa University found that concession stands that include healthy options can be popular and profitable. They added 5-10 healthy items (including pickles, string cheese, chicken sandwiches, and carrots and dip) to the sports concession stands at a high school. They also improved the nutritional quality of the popcorn and cheese sauce by removing trans fats.

The result: The healthy options accounted for about nine percent of sales (not bad) and revenue increased overall by four percent (again, not bad!).

The researchers said there are a few keys to healthier concession stands:

  • Offering at least 5-10 healthy items so there’s a critical mass
  • Selling these healthy items alongside the other ones (not instead of them) so people still have choices
  • Improving the nutritional quality of popular items in simple ways, like swapping oils to avoid trans fats

Recently, I had an opportunity to test this theory myself!

My younger son is part of the elementary school chess team, which hosted a tournament last month at our school. When the call went out for volunteers, I offered to help with the concession stand–and mentioned that I was hoping to include some healthy items too (luckily, the event organizer was a friend and neighbor familiar with my Snacktivist crusade!)

When we shopped together for the stand, she picked up the usual concession stand fare: small bags of chips, candy, hot dogs and buns. There would also be donuts in the morning, homemade cookies made by parents, and pizza delivery at lunch time.

Then we agreed on several healthy items. Here’s what we bought:

  • Clementines (easy for kids to peel!)
  • Bananas (ditto!)
  • Individual bags of popcorn
  • Individual cups of hummus
  • Baby carrots
  • Bottled water and small juice boxes (these replaced the usual soda and sports drinks, which I considered a major improvement!)

Ideas for Healthy Concession Stand

Our results: The donuts were demolished. Same for the hot dogs and pizza. The kids loved the “penny candy” that was sold for 25 cents a piece.

But the healthy items sold well too. By the end of the tournament, the fruit was mostly gone (I saw one mom buy eight clementines!). The popcorn was a hit too (my neighbor brought bags of kale chips she had, but those weren’t as popular). People definitely bought the hummus and carrots, but there were leftovers.

Ideas for Healthy Concession Stand

Overall, I thought it was a great compromise. We were still able to offer traditional concession stand items with healthy choices right alongside them. And many people bought a mix of both.

If your child participates in sports or other activities with concession stands, I hope you’ll consider pitching in and offering these suggestions. Because they’re easy changes. And the more that fresh, healthy foods become incorporated into customs like these, the more accepted they become.

Ideas for Healthy Concession Stand

Easy Ideas for Healthier Concession Stands

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Ideas for Healthier Concession Stands (That Still Make Money!)

Hi! I'm Sally, a dietitian-mom.

I believe that EVERY mom can feel successful and confident about feeding her kids, lose the stress, and finally enjoy mealtime again.

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Filed Under: Sports Snacks Tagged With: concession stand, school wellness, snacks, snacktivism

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sara, CSPI says

    April 7, 2017 at 1:29 pm

    Here are some additional suggestions for snacks, entrees, and beverages that meet nutrition standards and could be used in concession stands: http://bit.ly/2nTjK9t.

    Reply
    • Sally says

      April 7, 2017 at 4:47 pm

      Thanks Sara! Great resource.

      Reply
  2. Paul Kopplin says

    March 3, 2020 at 4:52 pm

    What brand is the bin that was used for the bananas and clementines? We’re looking for something similar for the upcoming rugby season. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Sally says

      March 5, 2020 at 3:19 pm

      Hi Paul–sorry, I don’t. These bins were in the grade school cafeteria where the tournament took place.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Bean Bytes 234 says:
    April 10, 2017 at 9:35 am

    […] To Kill Your Phone Addiction with 4 Settings, 1 Hair Band, and a Post-It Note via Digital Telpathy Easier Ideas for a Healthier Concession Stand via Real Mom Nutrition Instagram Hacks: 44 Tricks and Features You Probably Didn’t Know […]

    Reply
  2. How To Organize A Successful Spring Carnival From Start To Finish - Oroola says:
    January 6, 2018 at 9:02 pm

    […] could also sell packaged foods such as popcorns, chips, donuts, candies etc. If you want to make it a healthy fare, don’t be afraid, go for it.  Create a menu, build a shopping list and purchase items in bulk […]

    Reply
  3. The Trouble With Concession Stands In Youth Sports - Real Mom Nutrition says:
    August 8, 2019 at 10:10 am

    […] You might also like: Ideas For A Healthy Concession Stand (That Make Money!) […]

    Reply

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