I just read an article on a new company in Chicago has created a vending machine {restocked daily to ensure freshness} that dispenses garden fresh salads at the push of a button. I just had to share, because, seriously, how cool is that?!
Farmer’s Fridge offers several varieties of salads, all conveniently dispensed in returnable plastic jars. In addition to the salads, they offer all nutritional information for the salads, optional proteins add-ons, and responsibly sourced and grown food.
According to their website, they get fresh produce in every morning. They make the salads daily and deliver them to the machine. They remove any unused salads from the night before and immediately donate them to the local pantry. ALL unsold salads are discounted by $1.00 after 6 p.m. And this cycle repeats every day.
The Farmer’s Fridge tries to use local and organic produce when available, and tries to adhere to the dirty dozen and clean 15 {lists of food that are best bought organic and those that are safer to consume when grown conventionally}.
I don’t know about you, but I think this is genius. I hope this company is super successful. It’s one of those rare attempts at doing and providing the best service to humanity, while still making a living.
So, would you buy a salad from a vending machine? {Oh, and I forgot to mention, you have to check out their menu, because it is full of surprisingly awesome choices.}
~Mavis
athena says
I would totally buy one of their salads, sounds yummy!
Jennifer Maltba says
I think this is a really cool idea!
Gina says
I would definitely buy salads this way! Awesome!!!
Lisa says
Yes, I would. But, they are probably a bit expensive. It would be no different from buying an apple in a machine, or a ready-made sandwich. Freshness counts, and they replace the salads more often than I would expect.
Monica says
I would definitely buy the salad. I just wonder about the cost. Overall, it is a great idea!
Ellen in Clackamas says
I think this is such a great idea but like Monica wonder about the cost. Did not see that listed on the web-site. Price is one of the things that can make drive-thru, bad-for-you so appealing. You usually can get a hamburgers and fries for a lot cheaper than a salad.
Tina says
I love this idea. Would totally buy it if I knew it was fresh!
Mrs. Ripples says
This would be great at some places like the airport where it’s hard to pack a lot of your own food especially with restrictions on liquids for bringing your own salad dressings.
But I would think that this would cost too much for me to purchase on a regular basis like for at work. It’s so cheap to just make a large bowl of salad and vegetables to take my own salad to work. I have seen people buy sandwiches out of the vending machine at work even though we have a cafe that sells food so maybe those that aren’t used to packing for themselves might be tempted to use this more.
Dena H says
It’s friken’ genius! If they do what they say and keep it fresh daily. I would totally buy salads and stuff from a kiosk! They’re probably pricey but isn’t all these types of things? I would rather have a healthy option at an airport when I am running for my flight!
Heather says
That is really cool.
Jess McCarthy says
I’d love one of these in my house!
Alison says
My dh and I owned and ran a large vending company for years. We tried lots of healthy things, salads, fresh fruit, fresh sandwiches, oatmeal cups etc. Our biggest sellers were sugary sodas, snickers, beef jerky, potato chips and any kind of pastry.
I hope the salad machines do well, I love the idea!
Mavis Butterfield says
Me too. I would love to see their business succeed.
Jennifer Kashuba says
love this idea! price will definitely be a factor in their success though sadly.
Stacey says
Yes, yes, yes!!! I love seeing businesses cater to people who want to eat healthier food!
Susan M. says
I would love to see this in our small town! The salads pictured really look delicious. As for most, price would be a factor for me also.
Barbara says
I would if it were available as a choice at the place where I worked, if I did work, which I don’t. I’m retired, so I get to go to farmers’ markets on weekends all year ’round here in Florida, not far from where the food was raised, and bring it home and make my own salads, which I store in mason jars under vacuum seal and eat like goat. I love salad!