Vending Machine Industry Goes Natural, Organic – And Just Plain Healthier

A new era in vending machine technology and marketing has arrived, as established vending machine companies offer healthier snacks, while start-ups launch new machines selling natural and organic yogurt and granola bars, gluten-free products and fresh fruit. Schools, fitness clubs and office buildings are seeing their old machines – stuffed with sugar-sweetened sodas and snacks packed with trans-fats, high-fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils – replaced by the new equipment. The new healthy vending machine sector comprises small, locally-owned businesses, so their sales have not yet registered in tallies of the $30 billion vending industry. But one industry expert expects "exponential" growth reflecting that of the natural foods and organic industry. And big snack and beverage companies like PepsiCo and Coca-Cola are revamping their machine-vendable products to meet demand for healthier, more nutritious foods.