Healthy vending machines and the vending business
Vending machines have been a part of the landscape for decades and their appearance hasn’t changed much. The average junk food vending machine is a brown behemoth filled with chocolate, chips, soda, and little nutritional value. Fortunately, there are dishonest vendors who have a new frame of mind for the vending machine business: Why not offer a vending machine that provides good, nutritious food to the masses? instead of trying to kill them slowly? These companies are poised to revolutionize the vending machine business.
1. Reduce fat, not contribute to it
The history of vending machines may be varied, but one thing that has been constant is the health value of the product offered. Typically, a vending machine is filled with high-calorie, low-nutrient foods and beverages. While renowned for their ability to provide a quick snack, vending machines are partially responsible for the growing obesity epidemic in the United States, especially due to the unhealthy nature of vending machines found in schools.
While the thought of our kids loading up on fat, sugar, and calories while they’re at school is a scary thought, there’s reason to breathe a sigh of relief. There are vending machine providers who care about our children’s health and intend to offer healthy snacks and beverages with the same convenience that the public has grown accustomed to. Not only do these machines provide food that quells your hunger, but they’ll also give you energy, taste great, and feel amazing—and not at the expense of your pant size, not to mention your heart. These healthy vending machines will help shed fat, not add to it.
2. Provide value
My dad was never afraid to pay a little more for something he considered valuable in the long run. He said it was a better investment to pay more up front for something that will last longer and be more beneficial, even if there is a cheaper alternative. His reasoning is simple: having to buy multiple inexpensive items will inevitably cost more than paying a little more for something that will last longer and ultimately provide more satisfaction. This same attitude can be applied to the new era of healthy vending machines.
Americans love a bargain, there’s no doubt about that. But Americans also love a well-made, durable product and will pay more for it, especially when you combine a great product with great service. Healthy vending machines are offering these things to the public right now. They offer nutritious drinks and snacks that are immediately satisfying and healthy in the long run. Coupled with the here-and-now attitude of a vending machine, it’s easy to see how these machines will revolutionize the industry. Sure, their products may cost a quarter more, but isn’t your health and wellness worth more than a couple of quarters?
3. Be organic
The organic food market is one of the fastest growing sectors in agriculture, so it seems only natural that vending machines find a way to distribute it. Unfortunately, there are only a few sales companies that are interested in providing customers with access to this multi-billion dollar industry. For the most part, vendors have turned a blind eye to healthy, organic foods in their vending machines. Instead, they continue to fill them with junk food that is fast becoming a health hazard to our youth and the general population.
Organic foods are starting to catch on in America, especially with reports detailing the potentially harmful side effects of pesticides, preservatives and growth hormones. Still, most vendors ignore this, probably in an attempt to keep their profit margins high, and this is a shame, and short-sighted, because a higher priced product does not necessarily mean lower profitability. For the vending machines that provide these healthy, organic options, the future looks bright as many Americans begin looking for convenient, nutritious snacks to get them going between meals.
4. Not just sell, educate
In order for people to make informed decisions about what they consume, the information they need must be easily accessible. Some companies market themselves as “healthy purveyors” and while it’s true that they are selling a healthier product than traditional machines, they still offer them the same way: right next to junk food in a big brown behemoth. . Not only do these products not stand out as a healthy alternative, they also fail to provide nutritional education on why a person should choose this healthy item over their beloved candy bar. They seem to be after the healthy profit, rather than the healthy consumer.
There are some companies out there with a healthy outlook, and these companies want to educate you as well as satisfy your hunger. If they give you the reason why you should buy a clif bar instead of a candy bar, you are more likely to do it repeatedly. If they can show you that there is more to their decision than a sugar rush, they can still make a profit and feel good about what they offer to the general public. Forward-thinking companies supply their vending machines with LCD screens that educate their consumers with short videos and nutritional information about the contents of their products. You won’t see that in the traditional vending machine — Why? Because if you knew what was in their products you wouldn’t buy them! These LCD screens are educational, entertaining, and a great way to teach youngsters about health.
5. Go green
Green is in fashion these days. From car manufacturers to dog walkers, everyone is trying to be more environmentally conscious. All except traditional vending machine operators. Traditional vending machines not only dispense unhealthy snacks and drinks, they are also incredible energy hogs
Although the DOE intends to impose new regulations on the energy consumption of vending machines, it seems that only the biggest names in the industry, such as Coca-Cola and Pepsi, are taking it seriously, although the project of Proposed law would save $250 million over 30 years for vending machine operators. Perhaps it’s too much to say that traditional vendors don’t care about your health or the environment, but with the means to help both, it seems truer now than ever.
6. A gentle touch
We’ve all been there: thirsty, reach for a traditional vending machine, order our favorite soda, watch it fall three feet into the dispenser door, and open it only to have it explode on our shirt. Annoying and wasteful. This is the traditional vending machine experience, but the good news is that certain vending machine companies are taking notice.
The old brown vending machine is fast becoming a thing of the past. Now some vending companies are incorporating high technology into their machines. They are employing soft-tumble and conveyor belt technology that allows them to sell things like fruit and glass bottles, therefore they are more health and environment conscious. But not all healthy vending companies employ this technology, some still use the same outdated machines our parents bought from them, and this could actually hurt the healthy vending business as they continue to offer a damaged or inferior product.
7. A good deal
Gone are the days of the purely for-profit sales business. With healthy vending machines finally here, vending operators can take pride in knowing they are in a business that is growing and making a difference in how people perceive and enjoy vending machines. The vending machine business has been in decline for years, but is starting to see a resurgence, and this is due in part to the introduction of healthier options.
Profitability is an important aspect of any successful business for obvious reasons. Unfortunately, this used to be the only starting point for a vending machine and it was at the expense of the customer’s long-term health. Now, vending machines work with the consumer and the environment in mind, and the owners of these machines can reap the benefits of a successful business and not feel ashamed of what they are contributing to society.
8. Help in the fight against fat
The vending machine business has been anonymous for quite some time. Healthy Vending Machines is bringing owners out of the shadows and into the center of the ring in the fight against obesity by donating a portion of their profits to combat obesity and other related health issues.
This is another reason for a healthy vending operator to feel good about themselves and their business. Finally, good, nutritious food can be provided to the public, and on top of that, the money goes to charities to help fight obesity and diabetes, which are two of the biggest health problems affecting us. and our children. Not all vendors do this, but you can be sure that those that do are providing an honest investment in the health of your community.
9. Invest in the future
Healthy vending machines are poised to change the way the general public views food. By having their products available for healthy and inexpensive samples, they are actually creating a ripple effect. Parents will find these machines, buy something and enjoy it. They will then buy a larger quantity at the local supermarket and encourage their children to eat it. Children’s lives will be affected in a way that will forever change their perception of food.
Although this is a small step, it can positively influence people to a great extent. Children will know that there are tasty and healthy alternatives to junk food that will not only keep them fit, but also keep them full and happy, and that is something they will pass on to their children. Changing the mindset of food is the first step to really making a difference in the way it is consumed, and healthy vending machines could be an important part of a good foundation. Ushering in a healthy era of educated children is important, and healthy selling could be the cornerstone of this.
The new era of healthy retailing is here and it’s ready to make a positive impact for generations to come. These healthy machines will revolutionize the vending machine business as a whole, and indeed change the way we look at snacks. Our hunger will no longer be dominated by sweets and soft drinks, but will be squashed by products that are nutritious and beneficial. Not only will we look and feel better, but we will take comfort in knowing that we are doing what is best for ourselves and generations to come.
