Ramen vending machine opens at Penn State

April 3, 2026

An autonomous ramen vending machine offering hot meals on demand has opened at the University of Pennsylvania, offering a new late-night dining option for…

Healthy vending gets a boost: Farmer's Fridge, Weight Watchers team up for National Nutrition Month

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

A partnership between Farmer's Fridge and Weight Watchers underscores the trend of healthy vending and highlights how technology-enabled vending can help make…

North Carolina college offering healthy meals via vending

March 3, 2026

North Carolina's Robeson Community College has introduced a new healthy food option for students and staff with the installation of an a la carte-style…

From Vending Machines to Autonomous Retail: The Evolution of Grab‑and‑Go Shopping

Retail convenience has always been driven by speed. Customers prefer shopping experiences that save time and require minimal effort. Over the years, retail…

SandStar VRK AI Vending Machine Fact Sheet

SandStar’s VRK AI Vending Machine (30,000+ sold across 30 countries, trusted by 25 Fortune 500 firms) embodies “Real AI. Real Easy” with its “Any Product…

Presented by SandStar

Dutch vegetable breeder unveils veggie vending

February 19, 2026

Dutch plant breeder Rijk Zwaan has developed a vending machine concept designed to encourage young people to eat more fresh vegetables. The machine dispenses…

Why Smart Coolers and Vending Kiosks Are Becoming the New “Mini Stores”

If you’ve noticed more vending-style setups in offices, apartments, hospitals, or even airports lately — you’re not imagining it. Retail is shifting fast, and…

SandStar TASTE AI Vending - CVM

SandStar’s TASTE AI Vending: A smart, elegant AI-powered retail terminal (30,000+ sold across 30 countries, trusted by 25 Fortune 500 firms). It offers 3 size…

Presented by SandStar

The Retail Nomad explores the Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation Show

Nick Harbaugh (aka "The Retail Nomad") takes viewers inside the recent Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation Show in Tampa.

Vending machine in The Bronx offers fresh food for food insecure families

December 8, 2025

A vending machine in The Bronx in NYC offers vegetables, proteins and eggs at no cost to food insecure families, according to a UnionRayo report.

Transforming high-traffic operations: The power of strategic self-service

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

A panel of experts at the Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation Show Dec. 10-12 will discuss how strategically deploying smart self-service solutions can elevate…

Prescription pickup lockers offer practical solutions

As pharmacies continue to grapple with staffing shortages, expanding clinical responsibilities, and rising customer expectations, prescription pickup lockers…

10 reasons to attend ARKI 2025 in Tampa

by Sandra Carpenter — Editor, Networld Media Group

Formerly known as the Self-Service Innovation Summit, ARKI brings together operators, brands and technology leaders for three days of learning, networking and…

Global wellness food market to double by 2032, fueling functional vending growth

October 15, 2025

The global health and wellness food market is expected to grow from $938.6 billion in 2023 to $2.17 trillion by 2032, driven by rising demand for nutritious…

Healthy Smart Mart launches financing program to help entrepreneurs enter micro market industry

September 30, 2025

Healthy Smart Mart introduced Capital Access Program aimed at lowering financial barriers for entrepreneurs interested in opening micro markets, according to a…

California Pizza Kitchen, Farmer’s Fridge team up to bring iconic salad to vending machines

by Sandra Carpenter — Editor, Networld Media Group

California Pizza Kitchen’s iconic BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad is debuting in nearly 2,000 Farmer’s Fridge machines, highlighting vending’s role in bringing…

California Pizza Kitchen, Farmer’s Fridge partner to offer BBQ Chicken Salad nationwide

September 24, 2025

California Pizza Kitchen is partnering with Farmer's Fridge to offer its Original BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad in more than 1,800 smart fridges across the…

Singapore's Chef-in-Box revolutionizes vending with hot meals

September 3, 2025

Singapore-based company Chef-in-Box has transformed the country's vending machine landscape by introducing hot, ready-to-eat meals, according to a Vulcan Post…

Ujamaa Cafe launches community vending machine for healthy meals in Jersey City

August 20, 2025

Ujamaa Cafe, a community-focused vending machine in Jersey City, is providing healthy, curated meals and snacks to local residents.

Lexington food bank to offer 24/7 Nori fresh food kiosk

July 7, 2025

The Lexington Central Food Source Center, operated by FoodChain Lex, is set to launch a Nori fresh food kiosk this fall, providing round-the-clock access to…