Don't settle for less when it comes to your lunchtime cravings. Fresh food vending machines are the real deal, providing convenient, healthy options that rival what is available at local cafes and high street coffee chains. With fresh food vending machines, you can enjoy fresh, delicious snacks and meals without sacrificing quality.
In this blog post, we'll compare the fresh food options available in vending machines to those available in a cafe or high street coffee chain, making the case for fresh food vending machines as a viable, tasty alternative that won’t break the bank.
Comparing fresh food vending products with high street café food
The traditional image of a vending machine was one of junk food and snack items, such as crisps and chocolate bars. But over the last few years, the quality of food available from vending machines has greatly improved. Many vending machines now offer fresh food product lines that rival those served in cafes and high street coffee chains.
Thanks to improved recipes and a better understanding of how to heat and prepare hot fresh food, without compromising its quality or taste, fresh food vending machines are now able to deliver great tasting food with added convenience. Sandwiches, wraps and salads, and hot options such as paninis, toasties and larger hot meals are just some of the options you can find in a modern food vending machine. What’s more, they can often be cheaper than their cafe or coffee chain counterparts, making them a great option for those on a budget.
So when it comes to the food options available from fresh food vending machines versus those offered by cafes and coffee chains, it’s fair to say that the gap has narrowed and will continue to do so for years to come. With improved recipes and efficient heating methods, food vending machines are becoming increasingly popular for those looking for a quick and affordable meal on the go, especially in businesses looking to retain staff on site during the workday or where access to local shops is extremely limited.
The benefits of implementing fresh food vending in the workplace
Fresh food vending machines offer a convenient and affordable solution for those looking to enjoy tasty, nutritious meals while on the go, especially those working in busy work environments with little time to spare. Not only do these machines provide quick and easy access to fresh food, but they also allow people to make more informed decisions about what they are consuming.
With commercial smart fridges, barriers to transaction are completely removed and consumers can pick up items to read nutritional information and any allergen warnings before purchasing, making food choices much more transparent and personalised. This makes fresh food vending more accessible for customers with specific dietary requirements, and generally helps consumers make better-informed decisions about their food choices.
On top of this, fresh food vending machines can offer a more economical choice when compared with eating out. Many fresh food machines are set up in office buildings, giving workers the opportunity to grab a quick and healthy bite to eat without having to leave the office. This is a cost-effective alternative to going to a cafe or coffee shop, which can be more expensive, especially if you need to travel by car to visit the nearest shop or cafe.
Furthermore, with fresh food machines now typically accepting contactless card payments, customers have the added convenience of not needing to carry large amounts of cash when buying snacks or meals, or waiting in queues for slow transactions to complete.
Overall, fresh food vending machines offer a fantastic solution for those looking for an easy, healthy and affordable way to stay nourished throughout their day. From offering nutritious options such as salads and wraps to providing fast and convenient access to food, fresh food vending machines provide a great alternative to traditional fast-food outlets. This is also a major perk for organisations looking to improve access of healthy food to staff in a way that suits them.
Dispelling common fresh food vending machine myths
Fresh food machines are often thought to serve processed, unhealthy food. However, this is not the case. Fresh food machines offer a variety of healthy, high-quality options such as salads, wraps, sandwiches, fruits, and vegetable-based options. The food is made from quality ingredients and sourced from reputable suppliers, ensuring maximum freshness and nutrition.
Many fresh food machines have digital screens that provide nutrition information on the food offered. This helps customers make informed decisions about what they’re eating. With the variety of options available and easy access to nutritional information, fresh food machines are a great choice for those looking for a healthy meal on the go.
There is also a myth that fresh food vending machines are unhygienic and that the food from these machines could be unsafe to eat – it goes without saying that this is not true. Food vending machines are refrigerated units that have built-in stock management systems to ensure that food is not consumed if there’s any risk that refrigeration has failed. For fully managed vending service customers, machines are cleaned multiple times a week and receive regular food hygiene checks.
Top considerations when buying a fresh food vending machine
When businesses are looking to invest in fresh food vending machines, there are several considerations they should take into account. First and foremost, businesses should research the different types of machines available on the market and determine which model will best suit their needs. This means ensuring that machines are equipped with features that allow for easy cleaning and maintenance, and that the machine can physically fit into the available space.
Businesses should also take the time to assess that the chosen location of their vending machine is convenient for consumers to access, as well as ensuring that there is adequate lighting around the vending machine, as well as enough space for customers to access and purchase food items.
It’s also vital with a fresh food solution to have a clear plan for what food lines will be in the machine, who will replenish them, and what suppliers might be required to fulfil an organisation’s specific needs. Vending operators can help manage this on your behalf with a fully managed vending service, but DIY customers will need to have a supplier relationship in place or buy wholesale from their vending supplier.
Furthermore, organisations should set up a payment system that allows customers to use cash or credit cards, as well as any other payment methods that may be available and be required by staff. Having the right payment system makes transactions far easier and convenient, and therefore helps staff engage with machines more regularly.
Buying a fresh food vending machine or commercial smart fridge
If you’re looking for one of the UK’s leading fresh food vending machine and commercial smart fridge suppliers, you’re in the right place! We work with clients across many different industries to deliver affordable, high quality fresh food vending solutions that leave consumers feeling happy and healthy.
To find out more about our range of machines and fresh food product lines, give our sales team a call on 01865 341011 or submit an enquiry through our website.
We’d love to hear from you!