Food vending machines

[claws]

Are there any in your town?



Since last Christmas, we've had a small 24/7 vending machine spot in town. It offers canned meals, sandwiches, a modest selection of fruits and vegetables, bread, candy, cakes, soft drinks, alcohol, fresh eggs, noodles, jarred sauces—you name it.

They even stock overpriced American and Asian snacks and drinks, all paid for by card.

In the first few weeks after opening, it turned into an all-night hangout for local teens and guys on welfare—probably because of the alcohol. That changed once the police began making regular rounds and telling them to move along.

I like the concept, though I don't really use it myself. With stores closed on Sundays, I can see how it might come in handy for some people. Personally, I just do my shopping on Saturdays, and whatever they sell at the machine I can usually find cheaper at the supermarket.

[RCMerchant]

When I worked at Honne Bear canning, they had vending machines. Candy (which I rarely ate- except Snickers), chips- which I rarely ate- except Okee Dokee cheese popcorn, sandwiches which you had to micro wave- garbage, and hot little canned tins of food. I ate the chili sometimes. Mostly I ate the tacos a mexican lady would sell out the back of her pickup or just bring a peanut butter on baloney and from home (It's good! Really!), and an apple or any of the fruit we would be canning at the moment (apples, cherries, blueberries, plums).
Oh- they had a pop machine and a coffee machine too. I RARELY drink pop, but drank coffee in the winter.
I worked there from 1979 to 1983, and 1986 to 2014.
I'm hooked on hot peppers and hot sauce since. Flatbread too.

[pacman000]

Sorta a lower budget Automat. I like it, at least conceptually.

[Trevor]

Are there any in your town?


 Since all stores are closed on Sundays here, this could be useful for some.

That used to be the norm here up until about 1990.

[pacman000]

Was the norm in Texas till the 1970's or 1980's. Gibson's Discount Centers & Kmart changed that, tho they had to rope off half their shelves to get around the laws.

I think it's still illegal to sell alcohol, RVs, & boats on Sundays.

[Trevor]

I think it's still illegal to sell alcohol, RVs, & boats on Sundays.

I understand about not selling alcohol on Sundays but the other two?

😳😀😅😆

[HappyGilmore]

Can't think of any around here. Down the shore they only have 'vending machines' in the form of candy/chips/soda, but not with meals, etc like posted. Possibly in some of the waiting rooms at Philly proper hospitals, for staff and family of patients.

[claws]

Was the norm in Texas till the 1970's or 1980's.

Vending machines are becoming a growing trend in rural areas here. Germany has always had a strong vending machine culture, but lately they're popping up more and more. And it's no longer just about coffee, snacks, or soda—you can now find pizza, pasta, and all kinds of hot meals.

Some supermarkets are even starting to expand on this idea by setting up vending machines right outside their stores, letting customers shop for essentials after closing time.

[RCMerchant]

I think it's still illegal to sell alcohol, RVs, & boats on Sundays.

I understand about not selling alcohol on Sundays but the other two?

😳😀😅😆

They didn't sell booze on Sunday until noon here in Lawton until about 20 years ago or so. Still can't in certain places.