American Vending LLC Blog

Micro-Markets and Vending Machines Offer Detroit a New Opportunity in the New Normal

Posted on February 4, 2021 by Katie Waxman

The health of your workplace break room has become more important than ever during COVID-19. As Detroit businesses have returned to work, a new normal has shifted in the workplace and in the break room. While break rooms continue to be a convenient benefit for employees to enjoy refreshments on-site, they are also an opportunity to limit outside influences within the office setting.

American Vending is here to support you with custom solutions that offer convenient food and beverage options for your employees. Making it easy for you to provide healthy refreshments for your employees and making it safe for them to enjoy a great meal or snack in the office during their workday.

Convenient, Easy and Safe

Micro-markets and vending services are two refreshment solutions that make it easy to provide a safer way for employees to access fresh foods, snacks, and beverages on-site in the workplace break room. Items offered in micro-markets and vending machines are individually wrapped in secure packaging for a quick and easy grab-and-go experience. Plus, vending machines or micro-markets also provide cashless payment options, limiting contact even further.

Healthy, Delicious and Satisfying

By providing your Detroit Metro Area employees with plenty of healthy and delicious options in the break room, employers can satisfy their employees refreshment needs during the workday and limit their potential exposure to viruses by reducing off-site lunches or trips. A micro-market or set of vending machines is also a tool that Detroit employers can use to encourage social distancing, fewer in person interactions, and less time in unknown environments.

Custom Solution with Advanced Technology

A well-designed break room with comfortable seating arrangements, delicious snacks, beverages, and fresh food encourages relaxation, collaboration between colleagues, and creativity. Add office coffee service with freshly made coffee and espresso-based beverages and make the break room even more inviting. Work with us to get a customized solution that meets your businesses needs and is supported with innovative technology ensuring your inventory is always stocked!

For more information about our custom break room solutions in the Metro Detroit area, contact American Vending at 248.895.2606 or fill out a contact form HERE. We look forward to hearing from you and creating the best break room for you and your Detroit employees.

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Best Break Room Decision Ever Made in the Metro Detroit Area

Posted on December 16, 2020 by Katie Waxman

It’s easy to create a welcoming space with everyone’s favorite snacks, fresh food, and drinks when you add a micro-market to your Metro Detroit Area business. And micro-markets from American Vending are incredibly versatile, offering your employees with so many options for their refreshment needs while on the clock.

Transform your breakroom

A micro-market works almost like a small convenience store. There are open racks for shelf-stable products, reach-in coolers and freezers, and a self-checkout kiosk. The accompanying security system allows the micro-market to stay open 24/7—a plus for your Metro Detroit Area employees who work the second and third shifts.

Unlike old-school vending machines, employees can pick up and read product labels before buying an item. The information on labels allows employees to do the following:

Check expiration dates
Examine ingredient lists and nutritional information
Make an informed purchasing decision based on their taste buds and health goals

Payment Options

Micro-market kiosks offer several convenient payment methods. Options can include mobile payment apps, stored value cards, and credit/debit cards. With stored value cards, employees can upload cash or credit (at the kiosk or online) and make purchases like they would with a debit or credit card.

Freshness Comes First

Reach-in coolers can hold almost anything. In addition to cold beverages, they hold FRESH food. Delicious sandwiches, healthy salads, parfaits, wraps, and chopped fruit are a few of the choices that could be offered on your break room menu. Employees will be able to enjoy the benefits without ever having to leave the office.

So, what does all of this mean for your Metro Detroit Area business?

Happier and healthier employees
A decrease in extended off-site breaks
An increase in employee efficiency and productivity

Combine them and discover improved workplace morale and a better bottom line.

Do you want to optimize your company’s break room? Choose a micro-market by American Vending. We will customize a solution that meets your organization’s needs. From offering fresh and healthy meal options to creating a market design that fits your physical space, we can help. Add office coffee service with freshly made coffee and espresso-based beverages and make the break room even more inviting.

For more information about our custom micro-market solutions in the Metro Detroit area, contact American Vending at 248.895.2606 or fill out a contact form HERE. We look forward to hearing from you and designing your Metro Detroit area workplace micro-market.

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Why a micro-market is a great addition to your Metro Detroit Area workplace break room

Posted on November 13, 2020 by Katie Waxman

Enhance your break room services with an onsite mini store by adding a micro-market that creates a small store feel offering convenience, variety and lots of healthy food and refreshments for your Detroit employees.

Micro-markets have gained popularity since they launched in the marketplace. More and more Metro Detroit area businesses are installing them into their workplace break room because of the benefits they provide to both employers and employees.

A great break room setup with an American Vending micro-market improves your overall business in many ways. The positive benefits of placing a fresh, healthy, and enjoyable micro-market in your office break room are widespread! Here are just a few we wanted to share with you.

CUSTOMIZED AND STOCKED WITH THE LATEST FAVORITES
With a micro-market by American Vending, we custom design your program to satisfy your employees with food choices, snacks, coffee service and beverages, so they do not need to leave the office for coffee, lunch or a snack. Upgrade your vending machines to a complete micro-market service, and provide an even better benefit to employees with an engaging micro-market break room that will help keep them focused, productive, and satisfied.
IMPROVE WORKPLACE SATISFACTION
Workplaces with a micro-market have been known to improve satisfaction and having one attracts top talent. It also provides a place for employees to collaborate, relax and recharge during the day. The improvement in their health makes them happier overall and gives them the mental and physical strength to complete daily tasks and tight deadlines.
FLEXIBLE PAYMENT OPTIONS TO SHOP, SCAN, PAY AND GO!
Micro-markets not only provide on-site food and refreshments for employees, but they also offer self-service with cashless payment options, which speeds up the sales, making for a better customer experience. And the efficient design of a micro-market can be fit to different workplace spaces. They can fit in a corner, take up a whole room, or wherever you decide.

When it comes to your micro-market needs, we will create a custom program and layout specific to your Metro Detroit area business and your employees’ needs – customized for your taste.

Posted in Coffee and Tea Service, Healthy Vending Machine Options, Micro-Market, Office Coffee Service | Tagged #beverages, #coffee, #Corporate Wellness, #Markets, #snacks, #VendingDetroit, #Workplace Culture | Comments Off

Enhance your Metro Detroit Area Workplace Breakroom with a Custom Solution by American Vending

Posted on October 29, 2020 by Katie Waxman

In the heart of Detroit, a typical workday can often become chaotic and exhausting for employees dealing with commuter traffic jams, tight work deadlines and back-to-back meetings. So, you need to make sure your breakroom area is more than just a place to grab a cup of coffee or store a meal. A well-stocked breakroom can set the tone for every minute of the day. Refueling, rehydration and energizing all start with a customized breakroom solution, tailored to needs of your employees so they can relax, refuel, and recharge during their workday.

OFFER A PLACE FOR EMPLOYEES TO REFUEL AND RECHARGE
Breakrooms have become a place where employees go to take a break from their busy days – whether it is to grab a cup of coffee, bottle of water, or even a tasty snack to recharge their energy.

Breakrooms are also a place where company leaders establish the company culture with their employees, and where employees have an opportunity to interact with their “work family” and get to know each other better. Breakrooms have become, and will continue to be, a conversation starter and idea generator for employees, as well as a place to take your visitors for a quick meeting.

BUILD A BETTER BREAKROOM WITH AMERICAN VENDING
Transform your Metro Detroit area business breakroom into an area where your employees can connect, collaborate, and enjoy great cup of coffee and refreshments.

https://americanvendingllc.com/vending-servicesOur breakroom solutions offer custom coffee services, traditional and subsidized vending services, and micro-markets offering healthy foods and refreshments on the go. We build programs that offer custom solutions specific to your needs that are sure to please your employees, and give them a place to feel comfortable, collaborate and take a break. And, your customized breakroom will always be stocked with the latest snacks, beverages and refreshments, and always safe with a state-of-the-art 24/7 security system providing flexible payment options to shop, scan, pay and go!

American Vending is here to help safely transform your break room into a welcoming space that offers a variety of better-for-you and traditional refreshment options. For more information about any of our services including office coffee service, micro-markets, and vending machines, please call us at 248.895.2606.

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Demand for Coffee Keeps Growing in Detroit

Posted on October 23, 2020 by Katie Waxman

The effects of COVID-19 continue to impact the break room experience. But even with all the changes, one thing has remained constant: the demand for coffee. Detroit employees still look to their favorite caffeinated beverage for energy boosts and improved focus and productivity. Employers also continue to see office coffee service (OCS) as a tool to keep employees on-site during the workday, both increasing employee productivity and reducing risk of exposure to COVID-19.

Unlike pre-COVID OCS, which encouraged employees to gather in-person for spontaneous collaboration and workplace morale, today’s OCS also needs to support the workplace community while safely offering the same variety of customizable and delicious beverages. Individually packaged lighteners, or creamers, and coffee and tea flavor boosts can help create delicious hot beverages, workplace morale, and a safer break room environment.

Traditional creamers are usually made with dairy and come in popular flavors such as Original, French Vanilla, Hazelnut, and Caramel Macchiato as well as seasonal flavors like Pumpkin Spice, Peppermint Mocha, and Mint Truffle. Plant-based creamers, a 2020 top trend, are often made with almond milk, soy milk, or coconut milk. Newcomers to the plant-based category include oat milk and hemp milk. Surprisingly, Datassential, a research firm, found that “more than half of today’s creamer users add plant-based milk or creamer to their coffee.”

Single-serve flavor or spice packets also offer Detroit employees a different way to safely customize their coffee or tea. Options include individual spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, or turmeric and combinations such as chai blends and pumpkin spice. In addition to creating a delicious beverage, these spices also offer health benefits. Turmeric, for example, has anti-inflammatory properties while cinnamon has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and antioxidant properties.

In addition to offering a variety of popular coffee flavorings, OCS providers need to be proactive when it comes to explaining workplace safety measures and product alternatives. For example, at a specific Detroit organization, single-serve products may be a better option while at another, individually packaged items aren’t feasible, and bulk must be used. Employees at both locations need clear and specific instructions about how to safely use the products available to them.

Successful collaboration between employers and refreshment providers has the potential to create flexible break room spaces that are welcoming and safe and offer the snacks, hot and cold beverages, and fresh food that employees want.

American Vending is here to help Detroit employers who have employees already back at work and those employers who are figuring out how to bring their employees back. In addition to offering an extensive and customizable refreshment menu, we follow well-established safety protocols to ensure the safety of your employees and ours. For more information about our services and safety policies and procedures, please reach out to us at 248-895-2606.

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What Healthy Options Does Your Warren and Detroit Area Break Room Offer?

Posted on September 30, 2020 by Katie Waxman

Healthy Options in Warren and Detroit Area Break Room

Healthy employees are likely to be more engaged and productive at work. Given the extra stress everyone is experiencing today, and the negative impact stress can have on health, Warren and Detroit area employers have an opportunity to offer their employees an extra benefit—healthy snacks and beverages in the break room. An extra bonus for employers is that this benefit delivers bigger returns than the upfront costs.

An important vitamin that is found in many healthy options is vitamin C. While most individuals think only of the common cold when vitamin C is mentioned, vitamin C offers many other health benefits. As with other antioxidants, vitamin C protects the body’s cells against the effects of free radicals, which play a role in combating heart disease and cancer.

Recent research also found that consuming vitamin C can help maintain muscle mass as a person ages, something that all Warren and Detroit area employees should be aware of. According to the results, Dr. Richard Hayhoe from the University of East Anglia (UEA)’s Norwich Medical School explained, “people with the highest amounts of vitamin C in their diet or blood had the greatest estimated skeletal muscle mass, compared to those with the lowest amounts.” For an average adult, the current daily value recommendation for vitamin C is 90 mg.

So which foods contain the most vitamin C?

While kale ranks at the top for vitamin C as well as for many other nutrients, let’s take a look at some other popular fruits and vegetables that also have a good amount of vitamin C. (Side note: yes, tomatoes and avocados are technically fruits, but for this list, let’s place them with the vegetables.)

Fruits (per 100 g)

Kiwi = 93 mg
Papaya = 61 mg
Strawberries = 59 mg
Oranges = 53 mg
Pineapple = 48 mg
Cantaloupe = 37
Mango = 36 mg
Apricots = 10 mg

Vegetables (per 100 g)

Red bell pepper = 128 mg
Green bell pepper = 80 mg
Broccoli = 89 mg
Snow peas = 60 mg
Peas = 40 mg
Snap beans = 12 mg
Tomatoes = 14 mg
Avocado = 10 mg

While it may seem that many of the fruits and vegetables listed above wouldn’t be found in the break room, think again. Fresh food options such as fruit salads, whole pieces of fruit, green salads with a variety of vegetables, sandwiches topped with tomatoes, and fruit/vegetables juices are readily available in micro-markets and fresh food and beverage vending machines. Many prepackaged products including granola bars, breakfast cereals, protein bars, and even some salty snacks contain vitamin C. The key is to read the nutrition label. Vitamin C may be hiding in a place you don’t expect to find it.

Can your Warren and Detroit area employees find the healthy fresh foods, snacks, and beverages they want when they visit your break room? If not, call American Vending at 248.895.2606 to learn more about our healthy break room options.

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Healthy Choices Are on the Rise in Warren and the Detroit Area

Posted on August 17, 2020 by Katie Waxman

Healthy Choices in Warren and the Detroit Area

2020 has changed many things for Warren and Detroit area individuals including an increased focus on healthy eating. Many consumers have discovered a connection between what they eat, how they feel, and their unique health needs, but unfortunately, many individuals still do not consume enough fruits and vegetables.

What’s in demand?

Compared to 2017, the last time we checked in to see what the top fruits and vegetables were, the top 11 fruits and vegetables purchased in 2019, in descending order are: potatoes, bananas, apples, tomatoes, onions, strawberries, grapes, carrots, broccoli, bell peppers, and oranges.

Each one of these offers specific vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can benefit a different part of the Warren and Detroit area consumer’s body.

Fruit

bananas: source of potassium; help lower blood pressure
apples: source of flavonoids, an antioxidant; lower risk of developing diabetes and asthma
strawberries: great source of antioxidants; help decrease inflammation and hardened arteries
grapes: source of resveratrol, an antioxidant; help prevent heart disease and may reduce the spread of breast, stomach, and colon cancer cells
oranges: source of folate, a vitamin for pregnant women, and hesperidin, a phytochemical that can lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels

Vegetables

potatoes: source of soluble and insoluble fiber, vitamin C, and B-complex; help lower plasma LDL cholesterol keep blood sugar stable
tomatoes: source of antioxidants, dietary fiber, minerals, and vitamins; protect against cancers and ultra-violet (UV) rays; protects eyes from “age-related macular related macular disease” (ARMD)
onions: source of chromium, quercetin (an antioxidant), vitamin C, and B-complex; help control diabetes, offer anti-inflammatory properties, and help with brain health
carrots: source of carotenes, vitamin A, vitamin C, B-complex, copper, calcium, potassium, and antioxidants; help protect against skin, lung, and oral cavity cancers, maintain eye health, and help maintain healthy connective tissue, teeth, and gums
broccoli: source of fiber, protein, iron, calcium, selenium, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, E, K, and an array of B vitamins; lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease and helps improve eye health
bell peppers: source of vitamin C, vitamin K1, vitamin E, vitamin A, folate, potassium, and antioxidants; help improve eye health and reduce the risk of anemia

Organic or Conventional?

According to the USDA’s ChooseMyPlate program, most adults should consume between 2 – 3 cups of vegetables and 1.5 – 2 cups of fruit per day. To understand which fruits and vegetables an individual should add to their diet, it is important for them to learn more about their potential choices, both organic and conventional.

Recent research from The Packer’s 2019 Fresh Trends survey found that the overall demand for fresh fruits and vegetables is up compared to the previous year (2018). Survey participants also indicated a preference for Fair Trade (59 percent) and locally grown produce (55 percent). Organic produce sales in 2019 increased by almost 5 percent over 2019 and represented 15 percent of the entire fruit and vegetable market in the U.S.

The growth in sales for organic produce didn’t plateau after 2019. Sales of organic produce during the spring of 2020 jumped dramatically after the onset of the pandemic. According to Laura Batcha, CEO and Executive Director of the Organic Trade Association, “The pandemic has only increased our desire for clean, healthy food. Our normal lives have been brought to a screeching halt by the coronavirus.”

To maintain a healthy diet especially right now, it is important for everyone to have access to a wide variety of fruits and vegetables especially during the workday. Warren and Detroit area employers can help by offering healthy snacks and beverages at the office that are made from fruits and vegetables. Whether your break room menu could use a few more healthy options or needs to be redesigned, American Vending can help. For more information, please contact us at (248) 895.2606.

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Warren and Detroit Area Break Rooms Need to Adapt

Posted on July 31, 2020 by Katie Waxman

Sometimes even unwelcome changes can have positive effects. For many Warren and Detroit area break rooms, the unexpected events of 2020 have compelled employers to reexamine what and how they offer refreshments to their employees. This is not to say that traditional refreshment options in break rooms are no longer appealing to employees because they still are. It’s about understanding the changes to eating habits and other needs that the pandemic and lockdown have triggered and incorporating those.

A Healthier Diet

For many Warren and Detroit area employees, the constant flow of COVID-19 related news triggered an inward reflection about health and diet. Consuming food is no longer only about stopping hunger or a pleasant experience, it’s now also about food’s functional or health benefits. According to data from Tastewise, an organization that provides data about all things food related, the use of the word “’immunity’ in the context of food searches rose 27% between February 2019 and March 2020.” Searches using other words related to one’s immunity have also increased.

For example, Google searches for fruit such as mangos and berries as well as herbs and spices have substantially increased over the past year. Fruits and vegetables offer a variety of nutrients such as beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E that the human body can use to boost immune function. Other popular search terms include sleep-supporting, energy drinks, and plant-based. The term “plant-based” has appeared in more than just online searches. Consumers have purchased 200 percent more plant-based meat substitutes during the past year compared to the year before. Eating more plant-based foods can help with weight loss which in turn also benefits the immune system.

Providing Support

Break rooms have gone through many different transformations since they first appeared in workplaces. In 2020, employers have the opportunity to transform their break rooms again into spaces that support employees’ physical and mental health as well as offer sought after refreshments and café-style coffee service. In addition to the dietary considerations mentioned above, there are two less tangible things employers can focus on—creating an environment where employees feel a sense of control and are able to focus on emotional connections with their colleagues.

Because of the extreme amount of change and uncertainty that many Warren and Detroit area employees have had to cope with during the past several months, consistently well-stocked break rooms can provide a basic sense of control for employees. Questions such as what to eat or drink and where to find a place to purchase those items become something employees no longer need to worry about. Break rooms can also be used as a space to safely recreate a sense of community that many individuals have missed during a variety of lockdowns and work from home periods.

We are here to help.

American Vending is here to offer support to Warren and Detroit area employers during this challenging time. We can help safely transform your break room into a welcoming space that offers a variety of better-for-you and traditional refreshment options. For more information about any of our services including office coffee service, micro-markets, and vending machines, please call us at 248.895.2606.

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It’s National Candy Month in Warren and the Detroit Area

Posted on June 25, 2020 by Katie Waxman

Sweet treats such as candy and chocolate can deliver more than a sugary boost for Warren and Detroit Area employees. They can also play an important role in an individual’s well-being according to “Sweet Insights: State of Treating 2020,” a recent National Confectioners Association (NCA) study, and John Downs, NCA president and CEO.

A key takeaway from the study, which surveyed more than 1, 500 adults about the products they buy and why, is the understanding that participants firmly believe that “chocolate, candy, gum and mints are an essential part of their lives and emotional well-being” and “that good emotional well-being leads to better physical well-being leading to a happy life.”

As with the snack and beverage industries, the confection or candy industry is also concerned about meeting consumers’ changing expectations. The industry understands that there are many different types of consumers and to be successful in the long run, they need to consider the demands of the less traditional candy consumer.

Manufacturer transparency is a key factor for this segment of consumer. They want to know where ingredients are sourced from, how those ingredients are produced, and if that process is environmentally sustainable. Alternative ingredient options including vegan, plant-based, and organic ingredients as well as a company’s approach to social responsibility also play a role in many consumers’ decision-making process.

Since National Candy Month occurs during the month of June, it’s a great time to add a bit more fun and sweetness to the start of summer. This year many Warren and Detroit Area employees are craving an ‘emotional well-being’ boost after dealing with the COVID-related challenges of the past several months.

To meet Millennial and Gen Z employees’ desire to make choices based on personal preferences and beliefs, Warren and Detroit Area employers should first inquire about the products their employees want and then offer a variety of traditional and alternative candy, chocolate, gum, and other sweet treats in the break room. There is plenty of space in vending machines and micro-markets to customize a refreshment menu that includes both.

Vending machines and micro-markets also support personal safety and hygiene policies as they offer products that are individually sealed and use 1-touch or contactless payment systems. Offering in-demand fresh food, snacks and cold beverages rounds out any refreshment menu and provides a safe way for employees to purchase items while staying safely on-site.

For more information about customizing your current break room menu or creating an entirely new break room experience, please contact American Vending at (248) 895.2606. We look forward to hearing from you.

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Break Room Service Providers Lead the Way in Warren and the Detroit Area

Posted on May 12, 2020 by Katie Waxman

Break Room Service Providers in Warren and the Detroit Area

Workstations, desks, and the break room are just a few of the physical spaces that businesses have to consider as they begin the process of reopening. In addition, Warren and Detroit area employers are developing new procedures and accommodations to ensure employee safety amidst ongoing concerns about COVID-19. Decisions made regarding the break room should be an important part of the plan.

Last week, members of the refreshment services industry gathered virtually to send a heartfelt and reassuring message to everyone. Shot in isolation from each individual’s home or business, the message is an inspiring 2-minute video. The takeaway is clear: break room service providers everywhere are here to support companies as they transition toward a new work environment.

American Vending is responding appropriately and following the state’s COVID-19 re-opening schedules and guidelines as well as adopting stricter health and safety procedures for our employees.

In addition to maintaining social distancing practices, our route drivers are washing their hands or changing into a new pair of gloves before each visit. They are also sanitizing all contact surfaces and high touch areas at the end of every service call. Their goal is to leave Warren and Detroit area break rooms cleaner than when they arrived. Additionally, we have implemented social distancing policies in our offices and distribution centers and are closely monitoring our employees’ health.

Before COVID-19, break rooms were an important resource, but today, they have become an even more valuable benefit for Warren and Detroit area employees. Micro-markets and vending machines provide a safer way for employees to access fresh foods, snacks, and beverages. Products available in micro-markets and vending machines are individually wrapped in secure packaging for a quick, grab-and-go experience. Vending machines and micro-markets also offer cashless payment options, limiting contact even further.

Providing employees with plenty of fresh foods, snacks, and beverages in the break room not only encourages employees to stay on-site but also limits potential exposure to viruses that can occur during off-site trips. Let’s work together to keep everyone safe.

For more information about customizing a refreshment menu or our safety procedures, please contact us at (248) 895.2606.

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