Healthier food options take center stage in Milwaukee VA Canteen

Bottles of sugary drinks have been moved out. Baked chips and protein bars are more prominently displayed. And vendors are offering healthier options to their traditional fare.

It’s all part of the Veterans Canteen Service’s partnership with Whole Health

“VCS is focused on a Whole Health culture that will provide better health outcomes and provide comfort and well-being for Veterans and those who provide for their care,” according to the Veterans Canteen Services website.

“As part of that mission, VCS’s Be Well, #LiveWholeHealth focus is joining VA's Whole Health initiative by increasing focus on fresh, healthy food options in our cafes and retail stores.”

In Milwaukee, that mission is reflected by an emphasis on better-for-you snacks and foods, according to Canteen Chief Mark Antczak.

“A lot is changing in our food and beverage program and our vending machines,” he said. “Instead of the sweet snacks and doughnuts, we’re moving to the Kind bars and pistachios ­– just some alternative items that are much healthier choices.”

The bottles of Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Dr Pepper are now available only in the retail store. Instead, the refrigerated units in the Canteen boast sugar-free and zero-calorie drinks including LaCroix, Hint, Smart Water, Lifewtr and Fiji, along with milk and tea.

New fountain drink machines are coming. They will still contain the traditional sodas, though fresh-brewed teas and cold-brew coffees will be available as well.

End caps – those displays located near the checkout stations – will be stocked with more fresh fruits, Antczak said, along with baked chips, nuts and protein/energy bars. And the Simply To Go displays will emphasize salads and other healthy foods.

“We just want to have some of those better choices,” he said.

Those changes also extend to the approximately 25 vending machines stationed throughout the campus. While the snack machines won’t be totally devoid of M&Ms and cookies, the healthier options will be more prominent. The cold-drink machines will also favor low-calorie, low-sugar options along with sports drinks.

Some of the vending machines have already been switched over, and Antczak said the response has been positive.

“They’ve been doing very well,” he said.

Another Farmer’s Fridge – a vending machine devoted to fresh, healthy food options – is coming, Antczak said. The current one is in the dining area next to the Canteen. Antczak said he and his staff are working to find suitable spaces on campus for any additional machines, with buildings 123 and 111 being priorities

The Chicago-based company started with one machine in 2013 but continues to expand, now stretching from Minnesota to New York. The machines are particularly popular in hospitals and among health care workers, according to a WBBM report last month.

Canteen vendors are also on board with the changes.

Antczak said Cousins will offer sub bowls for those who don’t want the bread. A crunchy tofu roll is coming to Hissho Sushi, with the owner open to making “anything to order,” Antczak said. And the Canteen Bistro is switching to whole-grain and multi-grain buns for sandwiches and burgers.

Antczak said the changes are happening gradually.

“It will be ongoing for the next month or so, but you can see changes happening already,” he said, noting there has been little pushback to moving the bottled sodas out of the café.

“The hospital staff has given great feedback for what they would like to see,” he said. “All in all, the response has gone pretty well. This is a nice step for us.”