Blind Vendor Licensee Program Adds Healthy Choices Curriculum

Feb 26th, 2026

The new training modules will help Randolph-Sheppard vendors stock, sell and track healthy products.

CHICAGO (February 26, 2026) – The Chicago Lighthouse, in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control, will soon begin offering instruction to help blind vendors licensed through the Randall-Sheppard Act to offer healthier food and beverage options that follow the FDA’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

The new, four-course module will be incorporated into the third edition of the curriculum for Business Enterprise Program Licensee Training (BEPLT) participants and will be available to current licensed vendors as a supplemental learning program. The courses will include practical instruction for selecting, pricing and merchandising products, as well as tools and templates for sales tracking.

“We have been working closely with the Centers for Disease Control for the past two years, developing the curriculum and piloting the program with experienced licensed vendors and State Licensing Agency staff,” said Colleen Wunderlich, vice president of partnerships at The Chicago Lighthouse. “We are extremely excited to bring these practical strategies and real-world examples to our training, so vendors can begin offering healthier options without sacrificing profitability.”

Enacted in 1936, the Randolph-Sheppard Act was established to provide individuals who are blind with an opportunity to achieve financial independence through the operation of vending facilities, including snack bars, gift shops, cafeterias and vending machines, on federal properties, highway rest areas and military bases. Approximately 1,200 blind vendors participate in the program, which generates more than $800 million in annual revenue, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

The Chicago Lighthouse provides training for Randolph-Sheppard licensees in 43 states through the Forsythe Entrepreneurial Center.