EDMOND — Looking for a cause beyond financial benefit, Edmond resident Dennis Courtney found his niche in the business world based on healthy eating.

Upon completing his military service of 23 years, Courtney said he began looking for a business model/franchise that would meet specific requirements, and he found Fresh! Healthy Oklahoma.

“I was looking for something that would include community involvement, provide a valued service and had long-term profit potential,” Courtney said.

Fresh! Healthy Oklahoma is dedicated to providing fresh, healthy snack options in convenient, state-of-the-art machines.

Courtney added he was searching for an opportunity that he and his friends could invest capital in and simultaneously provide a service that they could passionately support, and the company is comprised of trusted friends and family.

Yukon resident Nick Ramsdell, who is on Courtney’s team, said being healthy is especially important for his family because his youngest daughter has Down Syndrome.

“Since we have had our youngest daughter we have tried to eat the right foods and be healthier,” Ramsdell said, “and we are paying more attention to what the children are being served in schools.

“When Dennis mentioned he was going to start a business like this I was excited and couldn’t wait to join the team. Food and fitness are very important.”

Because of the chemicals used in food processing, Ramsdell said what he eats today is a lot different than what he ate 20 years ago.

“Fresh! Healthy is an awesome thing for Oklahoma. It is a healthy alternative,” Ramsdell said.

Courtney said after a period of due diligence, he visited with Fresh! Healthy in San Diego, Calif., where everyone in the office looked fit and healthy.

“I saw firsthand the passion behind the Fresh Healthy concept and rapidly expanding business,” Courtney said.

“They looked like they were all yoga or personal fitness instructors, and I realized that this group of dedicated professionals sincerely believed in a cause that expanded well past potential profit gains.”

 Courtney said the company is currently offering a $500 grant per machine and then a monthly commission produced by machines payable back to the customer for health initiatives including athletic programs, events, etc.

“We have currently established an exciting relationship with the Greater Oklahoma City YMCA’s and look forward to a joining their mission,” Courtney said. “We have contracts with both public and private middle schools and high schools.”

He is currently in discussions with some of Oklahoma’s major corporate businesses and looks forward to seeing the Fresh! Healthy machines in tall buildings.

“Employers are realizing the financial savings by promoting health incentives to their employees to also include good nutritional choices inside vending machines.”

Courtney said the medical studies regarding American children’s health are alarming.

“The kindergarten generation today will be the first generation in our nation’s history to have a lower life expectancy than previous generations due to obesity, heart disease and diabetes,” Courtney said.

“It is our social responsibility to correct the harmful types of food our kids are ingesting and provide good nutrition to help develop productive members of our community.”

Customers are able to customize the menu plan going into the vending machines on their site from more than 500 natural and organic products.   

“You will not find Fritos or Dr. Peppers in a Fresh! Healthy Oklahoma machine,” Courtney said.

Each vending machine is climate controlled and offers a variety of healthy and organic food options, including yogurt, soy milk, fresh fruits and vegetables, pure fruit juices, soy pudding, natural cereal and granola bars, baked chips, water, organic milk, natural soda, healthy smoothies, vitamin water, iced tea and many more items.

Having convenient access to healthy foods is an important factor in helping to address the obesity problem, Courtney said, and those who need healthy food on the run will find a variety of ideal choices in Fresh! Healthy vending machines.

With the company’s warehouse location in downtown Edmond, the company’s service area encompasses the greater Oklahoma City area including a 75-mile radius.

For more information about the company, vending machines, products or product sampling events visit www.freshhealthyok.com or call 340-7824.

   

pmiller@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 171

Health Facts

what you need to know



The annual health care costs of obesity in the U.S. are $147 billion a year. This could rise to as much as $344 billion by 2018, according to one major study.

In 2007, it was reported that obesity in Oklahoma was on the rise. In 2008, the Oklahoma City mayor put the city on a diet, asking city residents to lose 1 million pounds.

Oklahoma City was ranked in Self magazine as one of the most unfit cities in the country. The analysis came as a result of compiled information on gym activity, the number of fast food restaurants, death and disease rates and access to health care.

In May 2011, $1.35 million in Tobacco Settlement Trusts was approved to be used for funding nutrition and fitness programs.

 Source: Dennis Courtney