Monthly Archives: April 2018

Vending Machine Technology

Vending Machine Technology in New York City

Vending Machine Technology in New York City

The days of using quarters, dimes, and nickels to purchase a snack or beverage from a vending machine are gone. Today, New York City consumers only need their smartphone to make a purchase at one of Healthy Vending’s technologically advanced vending machines. What makes their vending machine so advanced? The answer is its 6 innovative and efficient technologies: Payrange, The Mind™, Vend Screen, Mobile Vending Request App, Energy Star, and Vending Miser.

Vend Screen is an interactive touch screen located on each vending machine that enables New York City employees and students to use mobile payments and access product information.  

Payrange is a tool that allows vending machines to accept mobile payments, or as Payrange says, “Swipe up and go™.” User benefits from a fast and convenient experience since the user prefunds their account, and an increase in ADA compliance because the user does not have to touch the machine to use it. Vending machine operators also benefit from the technology as the New York City consumer’s smartphone makes and pays for the cellular connection. This eliminates monthly fees and the cost of hardware for the operator. Maintenance issues are also reduced as physical contact with the vending machine is decreased.

The Mind™ is an easy to use tool accessed via the touch screen on each vending machine that provides users with nutritional and ingredient information before choosing a healthy snack or beverage. It’s as simple as touching a thumbnail of the product or entering the product ID on the screen. Vending operators can easily update product information as well as display public announcements, healthy lifestyle tips, and product promotions.

Mobile Vending Request App is a cloud-based mobile app service that simplifies the process for reporting service issues. The technologies combines the mobile app with QR codes located on each of Healthy Vending’s New York City vending machines. If a user has a problem, they scan the QR code on the vending machine, and the problem is instantaneously reported. Other customer service features include requesting new products, making customer service inquiries, reporting machine issues, leaving feedback, and connecting with us on social media.

Vending Machine Technology in New York City

Vending machines that meet Energy Star ratings cost less to operate and use less overall energy. Installing light-emitting diode (LED) light bulbs and motion sensors further decreases energy consumption and energy costs. The U.S. Department of Energy states that “today’s LED bulbs can be six-seven times more energy efficient than conventional incandescent lights and cut energy use by more than 80 percent.”

The machines also use a product called Vending Miser. It monitors the number of people around the vending machine as well as any ambient temperature changes to use right amount of power to maintain the correct product temperature. Less lighting and fewer compression cycles decreases energy usage and costs for New York City employers and schools.   

To learn more about Healthy Vending’s office breakroom and school lunch room vending machines as well as our healthy snack and beverage options, contact us at 917.572.3671.  

Healthy Snack Vending Machines

Snacks in New York City Play Multiple Roles

Healthy Snacks in New York City

The definition of a snack is expanding. It no longer refers only to a small amount of sweet or salty food eaten between meals. A snack can also be a healthy meal replacement that helps New York City employees meet their daily caloric and hydration needs. All snacks, independent of their role, fall into one or more of three primary needs: nourishment, optimization, and pleasure.

Accurate and clearly written product labels play an important part before snacks and beverages are even consumed. For 39 percent of U.S. consumers, inaccurate or confusing information on a product label will trigger a switch to a product that has clearer and more accurate product information. Additionally, 68 percent of the participants in a Nielson study said they would pay more for snacks, beverages, and prepared food items that weren’t made with “bad” ingredients. Fresh, organic, clean, and Fair Trade are just a few of the terms New York City employees are looking for in the office breakroom.

Sweet or Salty Treat

I have some good news for you. Traditional sweet and salty snacks are not going anywhere. In 2017, the sale of chocolate-based treats produced over $1.8 billion in revenue, or 74.9 percent of the total sales for candy. On the salty side of the aisle, $2.9 billion in revenue came from the sale of chips. That’s 46.6 percent of sales in its category. Clean, organic, and “better”  ingredients play an influence here too. While sweet and salty snacks are most often consumed as a reward or indulgence, many New York City employees also use a trip to the office break room vending machine as an opportunity to enjoy new flavors and textures.

Certain snacks have always and will continue to play the role of a sweet or salty treat, but in 2018, many snacks have a new purpose.

Healthy Snacks in New York City

Healthy Meal Replacement

According to the NPD Group’s tracking of U.S. consumers’ snacking attitudes and behaviors, “snack foods eaten at main meals now represent 24 percent of all snack food eatings, which is up from 21 percent five years ago.”  Not only are New York City employees looking for nourishment and optimization (a mental or physical energy boost), they have high expectations about the quality of product labels and the ingredients that they put in their bodies. A snack with healthy ingredients that fulfills nutritional needs, keeps an employee hydrated, and improves mental focus positively impacts that individual’s health as well as increases creativity and productivity. It’s a win-win for everyone.

A healthy vending machine in your office breakroom offers your New York City employees a wide range of healthy, sweet and salty snacks, and beverages that can be enjoyed at any time of the day. Not only is the office breakroom a place to grab a bite to eat, but it is also a relaxing environment to catch up with colleagues during the workday. To learn more about updating your healthy vending selections or adding a new vending solution, contact Healthy Vending at 917.572.3671.