Tag Archives: Vending Foods And Beverages

The Surprising History of Vending Machines

Posted on by
An old pocket watch in front of old leather books- signifying history.

When you’re in front of a vending machine, the last thing you’re thinking about is the historical origin. Instead, you’re likely thinking of what snack or drink to get. While we can’t blame you for focusing on the snacks at hand, the origins of vending machines are quite interesting! So grab a snack and tuck in to learn about the surprising history of vending machines.

The First Vending Machines

Shockingly- the first instance of a vending machine dates back to first-century Egypt! Created by the engineer and mathematician Hero of Alexandria, the device dispensed holy water in temples. When a person inserted their coin into the machine, it fell upon a lever, allowing the holy water to flow. After the coin fell due to the pan tilting, a counterweight would shut the lever.

After that, different versions popped up. In the early 1600s, brass vending machines were built to dispense tobacco. They were small, portable, and often found in taverns. In the early 1800s, Richard Carlile created a dispensing machine that allowed patrons of his store to buy banned books.

However, the first fully automatic vending machine (as we know it) appeared in 1867 and was built for dispensing stamps. As more were made, they could readily be found at railroad stations and post offices across London. Over time, they began dispensing envelopes and postcards in addition to stamps.                                                                                    

Vending Machines Today

A lot has changed since the first vending machine! Since then, vending machines have changed in size, material, location, and the goods they dispense. While some vending machines still take change, most modern machines are equipped with card readers.

While they are a stark difference from the first vending machine in Egypt, one thing has remained the same: vending machines have always been placed with the intent of helping people out. Whether it was providing food for a nickel, or even vending machines offering handmade jewelry and socks, they are always there to help a community.

No matter the location, every business can benefit from a vending machine. When you’re ready to begin your vending machine journey, contact us here at Orsino Vending. We have everything from coffee machines to fresh food machines for sale! Our machines are equipped for dollar bills and cards, and we offer quick, precise maintenance. 

We have proudly served Englewood, NJ, and its’ surrounding areas for over 25 years. We know you will love your machine, and we offer free consultations- so pick up the phone and call 201-871-9286 to get started!

Consumer Trends That Help Increase Vending Machine Sales

Posted on by
Vending Machine

Choosing items to stock in your vending machine can be overwhelming. One tip that you should keep in mind is to give your potential consumers plenty of options to choose from. From healthy treats to savory snacks, you can’t go wrong with having a combination of these options. By focusing on one specific kind of food, you are limiting yourself to your market size and sales turnover.

Because the vending machine industry is always changing, let’s take a look at some of the popular consumer trends that have been known to drive up sales: 

Perception of Freshness

As consumers, we are selective on the types of products that we put into our bodies. Typically, when we go into the grocery store, we instinctively want to check each item for any flaws before purchasing it. However, when we purchase foods from a vending machine, it’s harder for us to inspect. If you’re a vending machine operator, try to make sure that the expiration date is visible as you refill the machine so consumers can conveniently access and check the products’ freshness. 

Experience

Purchasing from a vending machine is more than just satisfying your craving. It’s an experience too! Your vending machine should be up to date, with interactive buttons and displays to help attract consumers and sell more products. Believe it or not, there has been proof that interactive vending machines will sell more products than those that don’t. 

Convenience

Vending machines are great to incorporate into schools, hospitals, shopping centers, and other busy areas because they offer a convenient way to get snacks or meals throughout the day. Newer vending machines also offer convenient ways to pay for your food with cashless payment options or pre-pay methods. 

Product Quality

Brand loyalty is especially important in the food industry. Consumers are more likely to gravitate towards name-brand products that they are already familiar with instead of a vending machine filled with unfamiliar brands. So, as you’re choosing your next vending machine, make sure you’re finding a company that offers a variety of snacking options.

Do you need a vending machine for your business? Contact Orsino Vending today to learn more about our vending machine options! Give us a call at (201) 871-9286 or contact us online today! 

4 Helpful Ways to Make Your Coffee Healthier

Posted on by

Everyone loves their morning cup of coffee. And believe it or not, coffee has a lot of health benefits too! However, when you add milk, flavoring, cream, or sugar, it can increase your coffee’s calorie count fairly quickly.

Because you deserve to enjoy your morning cup of coffee, with all of its amazing benefits, here are some simple ways to make your coffee a little healthier:

Benefits of Drinking Coffee

Avoid Caffeine After 2 PM

Many people enjoy drinking coffee because it’s one of the most natural sources of caffeine in a diet. Coffee does a great job at giving you that extra burst of energy that helps you stay awake when you’re feeling tired. However, drinking coffee later in the day can impact the sleep you get at night. Usually, when you don’t get a good night of rest, you mood and overall health can be impacted.

Know Your Limits

Because many coffee consumers love the energy that coffee gives them, some people enjoy drinking multiple cups per day. While moderate coffee intake is still considered healthy, drinking too much can contradict all of the amazing benefits it offers.

Typically, you should only consume 1-2 cups per day. Always listen to your body when it comes to drinking coffee, and stop drinking it if you feel like you’ve had enough.

Add Cinnamon to Your Coffee

When you visit your local coffee bar, you may notice a container of cinnamon sitting on the counter. Believe it or not, cinnamon is often added to coffee because of its health benefits. Cinnamon has been known to help reduce inflammation throughout your body. Next time you enjoy your morning coffee, try sprinkling in some cinnamon for extra flavoring and health benefits!

Never Drink Coffee on An Empty Stomach

Although black coffee is a healthy drink to have in the morning, you should never drink it on an empty stomach. When you drink coffee on an empty stomach, it can lead to various health risks, and it has been linked to increased anxiety. Before you sit down and enjoy your morning cup, make sure that you’ve had a good breakfast first.

Coffee, Anyone?

At Orsino Vending, we make it easy for you to have your cup of morning coffee. Contact us today to learn more about our coffee vending machines!

Why You Should Always Include Bottled Water in Your Vending Machines

Posted on by

Water is an essential nutrient that we need to consume daily. On average, we should be consuming about eight glasses of water per day. When you’re busy at work, school, or roaming around the town it’s easy to forget to continue to drink water throughout the day. For this reason, businesses should always include a water option in their vending machines. Besides quenching your thirst, drinking water has plenty of other benefits. Let’s take a look at some of them!

Healthy Vending Machine Options

Water Helps with Dehydration

Caffeinated drinks like coffee and teas can promote dehydration. If you’re an avid coffee and tea drinker, it’s important to incorporate water throughout the day. If you are experiencing foggy memory, fatigue, headaches, or irritability, then that’s a sign that you need to start drinking water!

To help keep your body hydrated, you should always have at least one glass of water with and between meals. Plus, drinking water at these times can help keep you fuller longer and tame your hunger throughout the day!

Stay Energized by Drinking Water

Dehydration also has negative effects on your mood and energy levels. During a busy day, the last thing you need is to feel fatigued and unmotivated. To work effectively, you need to remain hydrated. Drinking water throughout the workday will help maintain a healthy heart and blood pressure, as well as, keep you energized and focused throughout your long day.

A Healthy Option to Drink Throughout the Day

Consumers are starting to pay more attention to learning about the ingredients in the foods that they eat and drink every day. Water is the healthiest beverage you can drink, so it’s only right to include multiple water options in your vending machine. Not to mention, options like sparkling water, purified water and bottled water all save you calories throughout the day.

If you’re looking to add a beverage vending machine to your business, contact Orsino Vending. We have plenty of drink options, including water options, to stock your machines with! Give us a call at (201) 871-9286!

Millennials Are Driving The Vending Machine Industry

Posted on by

Vending MachineVending machines have been around for decades.

What once was a leading source of snacks and beverages during the work and school day, vending machines now have to compete with food delivery services and food trucks.

With the millennial generation (those coming into adulthood in the year 2000 and after) gaining control in a variety of industries including vending, we are learning how to market and advertise to this diverse group of people.

The millennial generation grew up in an era where technology was taking a dominant stance in how we live our lives. Computers, smartphones, and other modern technologies have been second nature to this group, rather than a life skill for those in the older generations, who took the time to catch up.

So, in terms of vending machines, what can we expect from millennials?

They are attracted to vending machines that offer fresh and affordable foods and beverages with just a quick touch of a button.

There is a decrease in desire for sugary snacks and beverages from a rising awareness of obesity and heart health impacted by unhealthy eating.

Cash carry is virtually non-existent with paying options such as Apple Pay, Google Wallet, credit and debit cards. Smart vending solutions would be to include a machine that allows for a variety of payment types.

Mobile paying options largely depend on the proper placement of vending machine, where wireless access is strongest.

The millennial generation is a great demographic group to test out new vending technologies on as they are not intimated by new technology, but rather encourage it.

As the vending industry works toward making vending machine purchases more mobile savvy, we can expect that any changes will be met with gratitude and increased sales.

Orsino Vending works continuously to provide the latest technology within our vending machines.

Serving a wide variety of industries, you can guarantee that we strive to make the purchase of vending machine items more convenient and the selections healthy and plentiful.