Foodservice

Pennsylvania dairy brings artisanal cheese to vending machine

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August 5, 2026

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Perrystead Dairy has turned a small garden in Philadelphia's East Kensington neighborhood into a 24-hour destination for cheese lovers, according to an Atlas Obscura report. Surrounded by native plants and reached by a curving stone path, its refrigerated vending machine resembles a small red shed and offers a quiet retreat despite the nearby rumble of the elevated train.

The credit card-only machine carries Perrystead's signature cheeses along with meats, condiments and utensils. Customers can enter one at a time, make purchases at any hour and enjoy their food on shaded wooden benches outside. Located about five blocks from the Berks station, the vending site also attracts customers traveling to and from neighborhood bars.

Behind the vending operation, Perrystead's four-person team produces more than 500 pounds of cheese each week. Its selection includes fewer than 10 varieties, some seasonal, combining traditional European methods with American innovation. The award-winning dairy pasteurizes milk delivered from nearby farms and closely monitors temperature, humidity and other conditions throughout production.