vending, vending machine, vending machine business, vending machine concessions, Polk County Commission, Corporate Services Group, food service, snack concession
BARTOW, FL -- Officials in Florida's Polk County have tentatively agreed to contract for vending service at some county parks.
The County Commission voted to allow county staff to negotiate a contract with Tampa's Corporate Services Group to install the machines, according to Florida's The Ledger newspaper. The vending company was reportedly the only one to respond to the county's request for proposals.
Park officials cited consumer convenience and a new source of revenue as the objective of the plan to install vending machines in parks that have thus far not made them available to visitors. The county would receive a share of the proceeds from the sales, which could be used to help to pay for park maintenance.
The contract would also include a provision to ensure the machines don't compete with the fundraising efforts of concession stands run by organized leagues, according to the newspaper.
Based on the program's success, park officials said they might consider installing fishing bait and tennis ball venders at some parks in the future.
