American Vending LLC Blog

A New Snack Choice in Warren and the Metro Detroit Area

Posted on April 15, 2017 by Katie Waxman

The definition of the word snack has changed. It no longer refers only to something that has very little nutritional value and is eaten between meals. Snacks need to be healthy, delicious, and convenient as they are often eaten as a meal replacement.

This shift gradually occurred as Millennials became more influential consumers. Together with Gen Xers, the two demographic groups created an increase in demand for healthy or alternative-ingredient snacks, and that demand continues to grow. According to Packaged Facts, a market research firm, “sales of alternative ingredients snacks in 2017 are forecast to rise to $1.2 billion.”

But what is an alternative-ingredient snack?

An alternative-ingredient snack is a snack that is made from ingredients including pulses (dry peas, beans, lentils, and chickpeas), vegetables, ancient grains, multigrain and whole grains. Snacks made with these ingredients include salty snacks and crackers, and often offer both flavor and textural variety. In vegetable based snacks, sweet potatoes and spinach are the most frequently used vegetables. Chickpeas or garbanzo beans are used most often in pulse based snacks, the fastest growing snack subcategory.

Why spinach, sweet potatoes, and chickpeas? Because each one offers a different combination of vitamins and minerals, and a wide variety of health benefits.

Spinach

is a great source of vitamins K, A, C, and B2 as well as folate, iron, fiber, magnesium, manganese, and calcium
is known to help with energy production and to improve blood quality because of the role that iron plays in red blood cells’ ability to function
is known to help maintain bone health because of the vitamin K
contains carotenoids (beta carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin) which have both anti-inflammatory and anti-cancerous properties

Sweet Potatoes

come in 3 different flesh colors: orange, purple and white
are a great source of vitamins A, C, and B6 as well as potassium, calcium, magnesium, and manganese
are known to help guard against health risks caused by carcinogens and toxins
are known to help maintain healthy blood pressure and healthy bones as well as help with healing wounds

Chickpeas

are a great source of protein, fiber, manganese, folate, and antioxidants
are known to help control blood sugar levels, lower cholesterol, and to support colon health
are known to help combat cancer development, especially colon cancer
are known to help wounds heal and to maintain healthy bones

Which alternative-ingredient would Warren and Metro Detroit Area employees like to try in their next salty snack? Contact American Vending at 248.895.2606 to learn more about which healthy snacks you can include in your healthy break room vending machine.

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Warren and the Metro Detroit Area, Have You Met the Micro-Market?

Posted on March 15, 2017 by Katie Waxman

Vending machines—a common fixture seen in break rooms across the country. They offer convenience, provide delicious and healthy snacks, and supply a snack or meal when time is short or restaurants and stores are closed. Even though vending machines have been around for years, they have, at the same time, been loved to be hated. Products get stuck, change doesn’t dispense, dollar bills, no matter how many times you flatten them, won’t read, and in some scenarios, products, when they do come out, come out expired.

In short, vending machines are just that: machines. And machines are not perfect. But, what if there was a system that was closer to perfect? One that didn’t lose money or offer stuck products? One that offered fresh food and beverages, and guaranteed that Warren and the Metro Detroit Area customers would never purchase an expired item again?

Meet the Micro-Market

A micro-market operates as a mini store offering a wide range of products in a break room in place of typical vending machines. With open shelving for shelf stable products, reach in coolers and freezers for freshly made options and a self-checkout kiosk, your employees can hold and examine their choices before they purchase them. In addition to being certain that they received what was purchased, they can also:

Check expiration dates
Review nutritional information—provides an opportunity to make an informed decision for both their taste buds as well as their health

Rather than needing an additional person to run a cash register, the Warren and the Metro Detroit Area micro-market operates using a self-service model. To add funds to a stored-value card or account, employees either upload cash or credit onto their card at the kiosk or online. Employees use those cards, credit cards or finger print recognition to make payments. After a purchase, the store-valued card holds the remaining balance, eliminating a common problem with vending machines—the coin mechanism, which is responsible for roughly 90% of all vending related service calls.

Enjoy the Freshness

The reach-in-coolers, in addition to holding beverages, hold freshly made food. Delicious sandwiches, salads, burritos, yogurts, parfaits, wraps, fruit, and more are now easily accessible to your employees without having to leave the office.

What does this mean for your business?

Happier and healthier employees
Reduction of extended off-site employee breaks
Improved employee efficiency

All positive results as happy employees increase productivity. Would you like to revolutionize your company’s break room with a micro-market of your own?

Call American Vending at 248.895.2606 to learn more about setting up a micro-market or other healthy vending solutions for your Warren and Metro Detroit Area office break room.

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Tools for Better Health in the Metro Detroit Area and Warren

Posted on February 15, 2017 by Katie Waxman

What are the ingredients in your favorite healthy vending machine snack or beverage? Do you know? If you do, you belong to a growing group of consumers who not only know which ingredients are in their food, but also know the number of ingredients. According to Andrew Mandyz, Director of Strategic Insights at Nielsen, “There’s a shift in how people are thinking about ‘better for you.’ People are looking for back-to-basics, simpler ingredients.”

Ingredient Labels

Seeing the recipe for your snack or beverage would be the best way to learn about what is in it, and how much of each thing was used. But since that is rarely an option, there is another way for Warren and the Metro Detroit Area consumers to learn about what is in their food and drink—by reading ingredient labels. Ingredients are listed in a very specific order. The largest ingredient is listed first, followed by each ingredient until the smallest ingredient. For example, a ready-to-drink cold tea that lists the ingredients tea (water, tea), sugar, and lemon is letting the consumer know that there is more tea than sugar, and more sugar than lemon in the beverage. Nielsen found that “about 61 percent [of consumers] said that the shorter the ingredients’ list, the healthier the product.”

Online Resources

In addition to reading ingredient labels, consumers are researching health information online. Mandzy found that the number of consumers who went online for information went from 48% in 2014 up to 68% in 2016, a 20% increase. With the large amount of health information available online, and more Metro Detroit Area and Warren consumers using the internet, it is important to know how to determine if a website contains reliable information. Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center offers some tips:

Don’t search the entire Internet. Start with the Johns Hopkins Medicine Health Library [or other hospital website] or MedlinePlus.gov.
Evaluate commercial (“dot com”) sites carefully for bias and conflict of interest.
Check to see if the information is current (less than three years old).
Look for the credentials of the author (i.e. doctor, nurse, psychologist) to make sure the information is written by a health professional.

Technology as a Tool

Using technology to track health-related activities and numbers are also on the rise. There are apps that are worn during activities such as running or walking, ones that track the number of hours slept and the quality of sleep, ones that track what an individual has eaten and count calories, and others that track heart health or healthy habits. With so many apps available, it can be challenging to find one that meets Warren and Metro Detroit Area user’s needs. Harvard Health Publications recommends several things to consider when looking for the right app.

Have realistic expectations of the technology and watch out for unrealistic claims.
Read reviews. Try out a few different ones.
Read the fine print.
Ask for recommendations.
Look for ones “sponsored or created by established health advocacy groups, medical organizations, or universities”

Reading ingredient labels, researching health information and monitoring one’s own health-related activities are just a few of the many ways that consumers can become more knowledgeable. Sharon Allison-Ottey, MD and health educator, recently expressed that “the overall trend of a more-educated consumer is excellent” especially when it comes to a person’s diet. Which snack and beverage ingredients do your consumers want to see in their Warren and Metro Detroit Area healthy vending machines?

Contact American Vending at 248.895.2606 to learn more about our healthy vending options.

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A Drink So Popular in Warren and the Metro Detroit Area, It Has Its Own Month

Posted on January 14, 2017 by Katie Waxman

January, a time of new beginnings, health awareness, and goal setting, is also National Hot Tea Month. According to the Tea Association of the U.S.A., drinking hot tea can increase blood flow for improved cardiovascular health, provide antioxidants for cancer risk reduction, and boost energy expenditure which may help combat obesity. It appears that in a month when the world focuses healthier choices, drinking more tea may be a small change that can make a big health difference.

In addition to its health benefits, tea also has a rich history, diverse flavors, and soothing qualities. It should be no surprise that in America, the third largest tea importer in the world and the only western nation with increasing tea consumption, approximately four out of five consumers drink tea.

Here are a few more interesting numbers and facts from vendingmarketwatch.com:

Millennials are making more than coffee “hipster” cool. Their love of tea has triggered an overall increase in Additionally, while older consumers think of tea drinkers as older, female, and soft-spoken, Millennials associate tea drinkers with younger, predominately male, and loud individuals.
The most popular additions to tea are sugar (46%), honey (40%), and milk (26%).
In the same way that coffee drinkers identify with their hot beverage, it appears that tea drinkers do as well. Green tea drinkers are likely to describe themselves as creative, adventurous, spontaneous, and bold, whereas black tea drinkers are more likely to describe themselves as creative, confident, peaceful, and intellectual.

What does this mean for your Warren and the Detroit Metro area office beverage service? Consider the following options:

To create a full menu, we highly suggest offering a variety of quality teas. Historically, coffee has been the star of the office, but as trends change, your break room menu should too. Consider offering at least one green, one black, and two to three herbal teas to meet the tastes of everyone in the office.
If you are a heavy coffee drinker, consider starting each day with a cup of green tea before your first cup of coffee. It can be a gentler way to start your day, and you will reap some extra health benefits.
For your office break room menu, think about adding honey packets or bears and organic milk to sweeten your tea program.

As drinking hot tea grows in popularity, it is important to modify your Warren and the Detroit Metro Area break room options to meet the demand. Not only will your employees enjoy the benefits of drinking their favorite hot beverage, but they will also be more likely to turn to their healthy break room for snacks and beverages. For more information on improving your office coffee and tea service call American Vending today at 248.895.2606

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Consumers in the Metro Detroit Area and Warren Crave Spicy Foods

Posted on December 15, 2016 by Katie Waxman

Are you a spicy food lover? If not, you might become one. According to Emily Liu, marketing director for Buck Wild, “Americans are snacking more than ever.” Furthermore, she said they are “demanding more complex, bold and spicy profiles.”

The growth of spicy food should not be surprising. Since the introduction of sriracha, foodservice has worked hard to spice menus up in new flavors. This shift in foodservice has led to a more broad, open, and evolving taste buds, according to Technomic’s “2015 Flavor Consumer Trend Report.” Consumers are searching for more complex combinations and more types of peppers. At least 78% of consumers desire moderately spicy foods, while 55% crave spicy food flavors.

Food companies have noted the larger consumer base for spicy food lovers. One of the hottest chili peppers in the world is the ghost pepper. Companies like Wendy and Sbarro have begun including ghost-pepper flavors into various items on their menu.

The increase in a desire for spicy foods may be due to a new generation: Millennials. The report by Technomic indicates 45% of those between 18-34 years of age want more restaurants to offer foods with a combination of flavors.

McCormick & Company reveals an annual forecast of culinary trends in homes, restaurants, and retailers. The global team of chefs, food technologists, and flavor experts for 2016 listed several spicy food groups. For example, “Heat + Tang” was at the top of the list, which includes Peruvian chilies, lime, and sambal sauce (which is made with chilies). They also listed a “Tropical Asian” cuisine, which has peppers, chilies, and even a Malaysian spicy paste.

Spicy food doesn’t seem to be going anywhere in the country including the Metro Detroit Area and Warren. While many see the importance of spicy food, they do not see the extent of its importance. For instance, Amy Smith, director of culinary innovation for Minneapolis-based Buffalo Wild Wings, said they “featured a ghost-pepper sauce” for a limited time. “We ordered six weeks’ worth from our supplier,” she said, “but ran out in a week.”

Their underrated success should make all food enthusiasts think twice. Dataessential made a list of spices, sauces, and peppers picking up heat, including the ghost pepper, gochujang, togarashi, and shishito peppers.

Is spicy food a food fad or is it more? With increasing demand for spicy food and an upcoming generation (Millennials) who love it, it seems it will only grow with time. What do you think?

If you are looking for vending machines in your Metro Detroit Area and Warren office, call American Vending today at 248.895.2606 for a free, no obligation consultation, where we can help you with your break room needs.

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Water, Water Everywhere…So Why Not Drink It in Warren and the Detroit Metro Area?

Posted on November 14, 2016 by Katie Waxman

Everyone in Warren and the Detroit Area knows that drinking more water and less soda or sugar-sweetened beverages is a good idea for supporting a healthy lifestyle, but now a recent study published in the peer-reviewed journal, Nutrients, tells us just how beneficial this swap may be when trying to improve your health.

Partially funded by the Drinking Water Research Foundation and authored by researchers from both the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and Virginia Tech, this is the first study to use national nutrition surveillance data to report adult beverage intake patterns and predict calorie savings, weight loss benefits and other potential health advantages associated with drinking water instead of sweetened beverages. The study utilized dietary and health data from more than 19,000 adults from National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys conducted between 2008 and 2012.

From this data, researchers were able to determine beverage intake patterns, compare beverage choices to current public health recommendations and identify positive results from drinking more water and less sweetened beverages. The following are some high points from the study:

18 percent of adult calories come from beverages. Current public health recommendations suggest this be less than 15 percent.
More than 40 percent of adults reported drinking at least one sugar-sweetened beverage per day. This exceeds public health nutrition guidelines for those trying to improve weight management and reduce the risk for chronic diseases, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Reducing calorie intake to the recommended 15 percent maximum would cut 3.9 billion calories per day from adults’ diets in the U.S. The predicted weight loss from such a move could mean 1.6 million fewer adults classified as “overweight.”
Though Americans are drinking less soda, data still shows that calories from beverages is still exceeding public health recommendations.

From these findings, recommendations were made regarding limiting added sugars to less than 10 percent of total calories. Also, it is advised that the more one can replace added sugar beverages with one with no sugar added, like water, the better for overall wellness. Though these conclusions aren’t surprising, the results of compliance are powerful.

“Swapping water for eight ounces of sweetened beverages every day could save people roughly 100 calories,” said Kiyah Duffey, PhD, Virgina Tech and co-author of the study. “If those calories are not replaced by other foods or beverages, that is a meaningful reduction in daily energy intake.”

Looking to revamp your Warren and Detroit Area break room with healthier alternatives? Call American Vending today at (248) 895.2606.

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Healthy Refreshments Taste Better Than Ever in Warren and the Detroit Metro Area: Vending Serves It Up in Spades

Posted on October 15, 2016 by Katie Waxman

Have you noticed how busy the break room is nowadays? The refreshment area in Warren and the Detroit Metro Area plays a more important role in employees’ lives, thanks to the great selections now available that not only taste good, but allow consumers to follow healthy diets.

One reason many consumers are snacking more is that unlike in years past, they know they can get their nutrition in the snacks they eat.

Another reason is that the taste of healthy products has improved considerably. Some of us can remember a time when “better for you” had an association with being bland and tasteless. Those of us who have been in the refreshment business a long time are well aware of the change. People are buying “better for you” snacks and beverages because they know they don’t have to sacrifice good taste to follow healthy diets.

A lot of the credit goes to product manufacturers that have focused on developing great-tasting lines of snack mixes, bars, teas and waters.

General Mills Cereals has committed to removing artificial flavors and colors in response to consumers’ changing preferences. Today, more than 60 percent of General Mills Cereals such as Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Original Cheerios are without artificial flavors and colors.

The company plans to have more than 90 percent of its portfolio free of artificial flavors and colors by the end of the year.

“At General Mills Cereals, we have been upgrading the nutrition and ingredients in our cereals for years to meet people’s needs and desires,” said Jim Murphy, president of the General Mills cereal division. “We’ve continued to listen to consumers who want to see more recognizable and familiar ingredients on the labels and challenged ourselves to remove barriers that prevent adults and children from enjoying our cereals.”

Trix and Reese’s Puffs will be among the first of the remaining brands to change. Trix will use ingredients like fruit and vegetable juices and spice extracts such as turmeric and annatto to achieve the red, yellow, orange and purple colors. Reese’s Puffs will continue to use peanut butter and cocoa and incorporate natural vanilla flavor to achieve the same great taste that adults and children have always enjoyed.

Not only is taste of “better for you” products getting better, but the availability of these items is growing as well. This is where vending plays an important role. The product manufacturers are aware of the role vending plays in consumers’ lives, and they’re packaging their healthy products for vending.

PepsiCo recently revealed its Hello Goodness vending initiative, offering good- and better-for-you product choices from the company’s food and beverage portfolio. It features a thoughtfully-chosen selection of PepsiCo products such as such as Naked Juice, Smartfood Delight popcorn, Lay’s Oven Baked potato chips, Quaker Real Medleys bars, Pure Leaf iced tea, Propel Electrolyte Water, Tropicana Pure Premium and Sabra Ready-to-Eat Hummus cups.

“Consumers want more choice when it comes to what they eat and drink on-the-go, and we’re providing the choices they want,” said Kirk Tanner, chief operating officer at PepsiCo North America Beverages. “For years, PepsiCo has been transforming its portfolio to offer more and better food and beverages. We’re continuing this journey with our new Hello Goodness vending initiative.”

Not only are the food and beverage companies offering healthy items throughout Warren and the Detroit Metro Area; many are changing their products to fit these shifting consumer preferences. And they’re packaging them so they can make them available in the workplace.

The break room is at the forefront of today’s healthy eating movement.

For more information about healthy snack and beverage options available to the vending industry, contact your Warren and the Detroit Metro Area vending partner, American Vending today at 248.895.2606 to discuss your customized break room solution.

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Office Coffee Is All the Buzz with Warren and Metro Detroit Area Consumers

Posted on September 15, 2016 by Katie Waxman

Years ago, the common business office was a simpler place in Warren and the Metro Detroit Area. This was certainly evident with office coffee. If it was available at all, there were two choices of flavors: regular black and decaf black. It was brewed in an old percolator, probably a can of freeze-dried crystals strained through a paper filter. Perhaps there was some creamer for those looking to nuance the taste a bit. It was usually right beside the pot, visibly stained and crusted over from the thousands of batches made over the years. Hmmm…maybe the good old days weren’t always that good?

Today, employees expect a lot more from coffee. That’s why they’re willing to shell out five dollars for a cup at the local coffee shop. It’s not only the expense that shows their commitment, but the hassle they’re willing to endure. Before coming into the office, they’re battling lines at the local coffee counters or drive-thrus, many times at the expense of being late to work.

In response, many offices in the Metro Detroit Area and Warren have turned to offering great coffee right in the office. They’ve engaged office coffee services that provide a wide range of coffee brands and flavors, brewed in the latest in coffee brewing technology, from single-cup options to machines that start with beans and turn them into a fresh-ground cup of coffee in moments.

Is it worth the effort? Well, according to recent polling, companies going the extra mile when it comes to coffee are seeing positive results. There’s a reason office coffee services is close to a $5 billion dollar industry. That mainly has to do with employees appreciating the fringe benefit and rewarding their employers with greater productivity and extended loyalty.

When it’s difficult for companies to give employees raises across the board, one thing they can do is enhance the office environment. Adding a high caliber office coffee service is a relatively inexpensive way to show employees you’re going to bat for them.

Certainly, just for the employee morale boost, adding an office coffee service makes sense. But from a productivity standpoint, it might be an even bigger selling point for progressive businesses. Think about the amount of time lost from employees showing up late, delayed by a busy local coffee shop. Also, there’s those employees who leave a couple times during the day for a refill. Those productivity drains can basically be negated by giving employees what they want right from the office.

So is an office coffee service right for your operation? Well, according to recent surveys, not only do Warren and the Metro Detroit Area employees appreciate good coffee in the office, they’re beginning to expect it. With all the advantages of offering coffee in-house, and the growing attitude toward this being a fixture at any progressive Warren and Metro Detroit Area business call American Vending today at (248) 895.2606 for a free no-obligation consultation of your office coffee needs.

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