Vending

Effort to put bananas in school vending machines begins

Photo: Adobe Stock

March 28, 2025

Plátano de Canarias, aiming to increase fruit consumption among young people, has launched a pilot program in Valencia to test banana sales in school vending machines, according to a Fresh Plaza report. The initiative, in collaboration with the Valencian company Tareca and supported by the European Union's Proper Diet program, seeks to make bananas readily available in a setting typically dominated by processed snacks.

This effort aligns with growing concerns about unhealthy food options in schools. The program addresses the challenge of making fresh fruit accessible by utilizing refrigerated vending machines that maintain optimal banana temperatures. Bananas are individually packaged in micro-perforated bags with detailed labeling to meet food sales regulations.

"If we want to increase fruit consumption, consumers must be able to find fruit where they purchase food," Sergio Cáceres, Plátano de Canarias' marketing and communication director, told the news outlet.

The program acknowledges the logistical hurdles of selling fresh fruit in vending machines, including perishability and storage requirements, which necessitate specialized refrigeration and packaging solutions.

The results of the pilot program will inform potential expansion into other markets, including the United States, where similar initiatives to improve school food environments are being considered.