Commentary

Fresh milk vending: The latest milestone for quality product and service

Where office coffee machines were once limited to powdered dairy options, fresh milk can now be used easily to create authentic frothy cappuccinos, creamy lattes or the perfect hot chocolate.

Image provided by iStock.

November 29, 2021 by Sam Roberts — Digital Marketing Manager, Connect Vending

Vending machines are all about grabbing a coffee or snack on the go and over the years have built up a bit of a bad rep for supplying unhealthy treats like crisps or chocolate. Today, however, that is far from the case with changing attitudes towards food going hand-in-hand with the development of innovative new vending solutions that can store and process fresh foods and beverages efficiently.

These advances in vending technology mean that keeping products such as milk fresh is now both a sustainable and practical option.

In the past year, Vending Times has reported on several dairy farms in the U.K. and Ireland that have introduced fresh milk vending machines as a way to serve customers during the pandemic. These machines have proven popular with customers.

Fresh milk machines also play a role in providing improved coffee beverages in the office. Where office coffee machines were once limited to powdered dairy options, fresh milk can now be used easily to create authentic frothy cappuccinos, creamy lattes or the perfect hot chocolate.

Although we don't get our milk directly from the cows, we do have plenty of fresh milk coffee machines available as part of our hot drinks solutions.

Fresh milk coffee vending machines

One of the major benefits of investing in a machine that includes a fresh milk reservoir is the taste and quality of the coffee or hot chocolate produced. Gone are the days of having to put up with substandard coffee in the office, and our hot drinks machines are right at the forefront of the revolution.

Machines that vend fresh milk are a great solution for anyone looking for high-quality coffee but who need a compact tabletop unit. We're talking barista-quality espresso-base coffee at the touch of a button, perfect for those velvety smooth lattes.

These solutions are ideal for high-end office environments and for organizations looking to put staff food and drink provisions at the heart of their culture. Employees will love both the taste and texture of fresh milk coffee from a range of machines.

Cleaning imperative

The only downside to hot drinks machines that include fresh milk reservoirs is that they require more regular cleaning than traditional models. The tank itself as well as the tubing within the unit need to be cleaned regularly to avoid the buildup and spread of bacteria.

While this can cause an issue, fully managed convenience services are capable of providing the necessary cleaning, providing a hassle-free benefit tailored to a customer location's needs.

Suitable for vending machines but particularly ones that feature fresh milk options, managed services include:

Stock rotation and replenishing.
Professional cleaning.
Hygiene audits.
Cash collection if required.
Data collection.
Quality control.
General maintenance.

The convenience services industry has made considerable progress in recent years providing high quality beverages and snacks. Fresh milk vending marks another milestone.