Healthier Concessions

Jordan Gilgenbach, June 29, 2012 | Posted in Park and Recreation

By Amanda Holle, Edina Aquatic Center Assistant Manager

Near the end of 2011, the cities of Bloomington, Edina and Richfield and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota partnered to improve the health of our communities. The mission: to make the healthy choice the easy choice.

The Edina Aquatic Center is doing just that. This summer, we eliminated all candy and a majority of unhealthy snack options and replaced them with healthier ones. We offer items such as gluten free chips, string cheese, yogurt parfaits, apple dippers, frozen fruit bars and many other healthier options. Our main meal items have stayed the same; however, we have replaced almost all of our snack items with healthier options and cut our ice cream options in half.

Opening day was one of the busiest days ever at the concession stand. The lines were long and we sold more than 1,600 individual items. The healthier options were a hit! If you have ever spent a lot of time around kids, you understand what I mean when I say that kids like to have choices. They do not care what the options are, they just like to be able to have a say in what they get. It’s the independence kids yearn for. It’s simple if you eliminate unhealthy options and present healthier choices. Then they are faced with making a choice that is better for them.

It’s easier to make the right choices when temptations are eliminated. We are working toward making that healthy choice the easy choice because we care about you!