The sight of vending machines in and around school environments is no longer a new thing. When positioned in the right place and stocked with the appropriate products, these machines serve as a convenient resource for both students and staff.
Howbeit, your primary objective should be finding the right balance, especially in terms of key nutrition, affordability, and variety.
Aside from that, also ensure you are complying with the health regulations the schools have in place. To ensure you are making the right choices, below are some of the best vending machine ideas for a school location.
Best Vending Machine ideas for a School Location
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Healthy Snacks Vending Machine
This is one of the best ideas to consider as you would want to aid the school and parents to ensure students have healthy eating habits.
As such, you wouldn’t go wrong with getting vending machines fully packed with healthy snacks like granola bars, mixed nuts, dried fruit, and other whole-grain crackers.
Also consider other viable options such as yogurt cups, trail mix, and low-sugar energy bars. These are very valid choices since they are known to provide energy and satisfy hunger.
Best products to stock
- Granola bars
- Dried fruits (e.g., raisins, apricots)
- Mixed nuts or trail mix
- Whole grain crackers or rice cakes
- Veggie chips
- Low-sugar protein bars
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Fresh Food Vending Machine
These machines gradually have now become very popular in schools. They are refrigerated and stocked with items like sandwiches, salads, fruit cups, and even yogurt parfaits.
They have proven to be a viable way for students to have access to more nutritious meals without having to leave the school environment.
Best products to stock
- Pre-packaged salads with dressing on the side
- Sandwiches (turkey, chicken, ham, and vegetarian options)
- Fruit cups or sliced fresh fruits
- Yogurt parfaits with granola
- Wraps and burritos
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Cold Beverage Vending Machine
We all understand the importance of being adequately hydrated, and a good number of times even students try to stay clear of sugary sodas. As such, you can choose to mount a cold beverage vending machine that offers healthier drink options to students.
Be sure to get the machine stocked with water, flavored sparkling water, 100% fruit juices, and milk (as well as dairy alternatives like almond milk), in addition to sports drinks that come with lower sugar content.
Best products to stock
- Bottled water (still and sparkling)
- 100% fruit juice boxes
- Milk and dairy alternatives (almond, soy, oat)
- Low-sugar sports drinks
- Herbal iced teas
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Hot Beverage Vending Machine
This is a choice to go with especially if you want something available for older students, staff, and faculty. This machine can be used to dispense coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and even low-caffeine options.
Howbeit, to ensure you provide items students will be willing to buy, consider adding sugar-free syrups, and low-fat creamers.
Best products to stock
- Coffee (regular and decaf)
- Hot chocolate
- Green tea and herbal teas
- Sugar-free flavoring syrups
- Milk and non-dairy creamers
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School Supplies Vending Machine
You would also want to consider mounting a vending machine that makes available very vital school supplies. Aside from being a good business idea, it will prove very useful to students who are always in need of pencils, pens, erasers, notebooks, etc. It offers convenience for students who promptly need replacements without having to go to the school store or home.
Best products to stock
- Pencils and pens
- Highlighters
- Notebooks and notepads
- Calculators
- Rulers, scissors, and glue sticks
- USB drives
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Technology Accessories Vending Machine
The dependence of our world today on technology cannot be oversized. Even in the line of education, students leverage technology to carry out a whole lot of tasks, and a vending machine fully packaged with tech accessories will prove to be quite popular. You need to get the machine filled with things like phone chargers, earphones, USB cables, and portable power banks.
Best products to stock
- Phone chargers (compatible with various devices)
- Earphones or earbuds
- Portable power banks
- USB drives and SD cards
- Screen wipes and cleaning kits
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Personal Care Vending Machine
This is because these items are useful and needed by both students and staff. Keep in mind that these machines can carry things like hygiene products, first aid supplies, and emergency essentials like hand sanitizers, tissues, and feminine hygiene products.
Best products to stock
- Hand sanitizers
- Tissues
- Band-Aids and antiseptic wipes
- Lip balm
- Feminine hygiene products (pads and tampons)
- Deodorant wipes or mini deodorants
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Frozen Treats Vending Machine
This is a option to consider particularly during warmer months. You will indeed make good money from positioning a vending machine filled with frozen treats.
You can pack it with healthy frozen options like low-fat frozen yogurt, fruit popsicles, and sorbet to be certain that students still relish a refreshing treat without consuming so much sugar.
Best products to stock
- Low-fat frozen yogurt cups
- Fruit-based popsicles
- Sorbet cups
- Frozen fruit bars
- Low-sugar ice cream alternatives
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Eco-friendly Refillable Water Bottle Machine
When you take into account the growing concerns about the effects of human activities on our environment, you will see why it is a good idea to go with this sort of machine.
To get good business, you will have to work with schools that are willing to promote sustainability by having vending machines that make available refillable water bottles or water bottle refilling stations. This idea will motivate students to reduce plastic waste while staying hydrated.
Best products to stock
- Stainless steel or BPA-free plastic refillable water bottles
- Filtered water for refills
- Accessories like carabiners for attaching bottles to bags
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Energy-efficient Snack and Drink Machine
Sustainability has become a very hot topic in this modern age, and you can do your part by making available or positioning this type of vending machine.
It is important to point out that energy-efficient machines tend to consume less power and have better temperature regulation to be certain that schools limit their carbon footprint while still making available the necessary snacks and drinks.