Farmers use vending machines to sell produce
HEALTH MACHINE: No junk food here; just fresh milk, eggs, butter, cheese, potatoes or sausage. (Photo: Courtesy of Regiomat) 
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Comments(14)
Posted By Outdoorlanza - Fri, Oct 30 2009 at 12:35 PM ESTFantastic idea
Being a keen hiker myself, I can see the appeal of these vending machines, both for healthy option snacks and for helping the local farmers sell their products as they often struggle being overshadowed and undercut price, wise by, larger supermarket chains. Great idea, lets hope its a great success :-)
Posted By frank - Mon, Oct 19 2009 at 5:42 PM ESTAwesome
Im a hiker myself and this sounds like a really great idea.
Interesting article!
Posted By Jason Minton - Sun, Oct 11 2009 at 3:06 PM ESTThis would br great at gas stations!
I wish my local gas station would carry some fresh stuff like this.
The healthy vending machine would make it easy for gas stations to upgrade with a minimum of hassle while creating a new revenue stream & providing a healthy service to the public!
Posted By JOhn Wilder - Sat, Oct 10 2009 at 8:39 AM ESTWow
OMGosh dude that is like the coolest machine I have ever seen!
Posted By Nick - Sat, Oct 10 2009 at 5:08 AM ESTI Saw Something Like this in Spain Last Week
...on a hiking trail, nr Burgos.
A 'cafe' had been set up (unmanned) next to a farm, with a shelter selling juices etc from a vending machine.
Posted By Mina Fern - Fri, Oct 09 2009 at 9:47 AM ESTIT'S THE CONVENIENCE WE ALL CRAVE
This is fantastic! I've thought about this so many times! When you're at school or in the office and that snacky-feeling comes over you... you don't want to make a trip to a store (and even there, what do you get? junk!)... You love the convenience of vending machines! They're everywhere, you don't need to tip, and there's never a line-up. How many times have I wished I could just get a few grapes or an apple, and I wind up with Doritos and a chocolate bar! Yes, yes, let this idea.... More
Posted By Phil Signet - Thu, Oct 08 2009 at 5:29 PM ESTDel Monte, of all places...
is starting to sell fresh fruit and vegetable snacks in vending machines in Florida (including even in the corporate hallways of Burger King!) that includes whole bananas,(they have a technology that slows down the ripening process and maintains the yellow fruit for five days.)
You can also buy fresh-cut pineapple chunks, apple slices, grapes, baby carrots, celery sticks and grape tomatoes. They're charging from $1 to $2.25 per item.
Posted By Felix - Sun, Oct 11 2009 at 8:39 PM ESTAbout the eggs...
I was in Germany recently, and instead of having things drop two or three feet to the bottom of a vending machine, a little collection box would pull up in front of the item. The item would then fall a few inches into the box and be transported to a place where you could remove it. I'm guessing they'll have a similar system, seeing as how there are also glass jars in the picture above.
Posted By Sean Roberts - Thu, Oct 08 2009 at 5:03 PM ESTHealthy vending machine
Cool concept. Let's hope it gets picked up in the U.S.
Posted By Anonymous - Thu, Oct 08 2009 at 5:02 PM ESTFresh?
How fresh are the items? Seems a bit strange to me.
Posted By Elizabeth - Fri, Oct 09 2009 at 10:06 AM ESTI'm wondering the same thing
Maybe they could also offer almonds, raisins, flax seed chips, veggie chips, etc. They wouldn't have to switch out the products as much I bet!
Posted By Grey Garvin - Thu, Oct 08 2009 at 4:52 PM ESTI like the German guy
since I speak no German, I think he's saying "watch out for those eggs!" Crash!
Why would a hiker want raw eggs or butter before their hike
I get the concept, but there is nothing necessarily healthy about the food they are choosing to put in this vending machine. Just because there isn't processed chemicals, does not make this food healthy.
I am in favor of produce in the machines, though.
The article did not explain how they would keep the produce fresh...which would seem like the biggest issue to overcome.