Parks, Pools and Pop

An Analysis of Vending Offerings at City Parks and Pools in Los Angeles County

OVERVIEW. Recreational facilities are a central feature of communities, providing a place for residents to gather and space for physical activity by all ages. Most California cities operate recreational facilities, including parks and pools. At many parks and pools, beverages and food are available at snack bars, restaurants, mobile vendors, and vending machines. Even where staffed food stands are not present, vending machines often are.

THE STUDY. In order to learn what was being sold in the vending machines at city parks and pools in Los Angeles County, CCPHA surveyed beverage vending offerings at a sample of parks and pools in the twenty largest cities in Los Angeles County (Los Angeles, Long Beach, Glendale, Santa Clarita, Pomona, Palmdale, Pasadena, Torrance, Lancaster, El Monte, Inglewood, Downey, West Covina, Norwalk, Burbank, South Gate, Compton, Carson, Santa Monica and Hawthorne).

FINDINGS. More than two-thirds (68%) of all beverages surveyed were unhealthy; of the rest, 23% were unsweetened water or 100% fruit juice and 9% were diet beverages.


RESOURCES. Read the press release and the study.