Dispensing wellness: The rise of healthy vending in hospitals

  • 29th January 2025

David Llewellyn, chief executive of the Vending & Automated Retail Association, discusses how vending has evolved to enable healthcare facilities managers to offer access to healthy and tasty food and drinks all hours of the day

David Llewellyn

When was the last time you used a vending machine?

For many people visiting or staying in hospital – whether briefly or for an extended period – a vending machine often becomes the go-to solution for a quick snack.

And that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Modern vending machines feature advanced technology and a wide range of food and drink options, catering to diverse diets and lifestyles.

And, in healthcare facilities, these machines are essential, not only for visitors and patients, but also for the healthcare estates and facilities managers responsible for their operation.

The combination of enhanced service quality, diverse product offerings, and improved storage capabilities, enables vending machines to provide a wider selection of fresh food and drinks.

Modern technology has revolutionised hospital nutrition.

With advancements in vending machine technology, smart maintenance that streamlines the work of healthcare estate managers, and efficient waste management, on-the-go food options in hospitals have never been more appealing.

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Technology progression

New technology has significantly advanced the capabilities of vending machines to align with evolving customer expectations for accessible food and drink options.

These upgrades have rendered the machines safe, secure, and versatile.

And, as the shift from cash to contactless payments becomes more prevalent, machines now efficiently manage transactions with minimal manual intervention.

According to a recent AVA census, 85% of vending machines are now equipped with cashless payment systems, reflecting a decade-long trend.

This integration has also facilitated telemetry and data collection as standard practices, enabling better-informed decisions regarding stocking, service, and maintenance based on customer purchasing habits.

With advancements in vending machine technology, smart maintenance that streamlines the work of healthcare estate managers, and efficient waste management, on-the-go food options in hospitals have never been more appealing

Telemetry and smart technology allow facility managers (FMs) to integrate vending machines into their predictive maintenance schedules for other estate components, such as HVAC systems or essential healthcare equipment.

As such, vending continues to play an influential role in healthcare estates nationwide.

The AVA census indicates a 4% increase in the machine base within healthcare settings since 2014, with such environments now constituting 8% of the entire UK machine base.

This growth underscores the rising impact of improved vending options and convenience for healthcare.

Healthier vending

Vending operators provide a diverse array of nutritious options in response to increased consumer demand for healthier foods and adapting to new regulations such as the Sugar Tax and nutritional guidelines set by entities like the FSA in Northern Ireland.

The data recorded in our most-recent AVA census supports this notion:

  • 81% of prepackaged cold drinks now contain less than 5% added sugar per 100ml
  • 78% of confectionery and sweets contain 250 calories, or fewer, per item
  • 36% of savoury snacks are less than or equal to 30g, offering a healthier portion sizes

These figures indicate that vending services are adapting to contemporary health trends.

For instance, 49% of consumers reported eating healthier foods this year, and 32% felt healthier than the previous year.

This focus on health-enhancing food is anticipated to continue growing, and vending is keeping up with the trend.

Micro markets

While traditional vending machines are now very advanced, a new trend is emerging in healthcare environments: the adoption of micro markets and Smart Markets.

These modern retail solutions, offering both attendant-operated and self-service options, blend the convenience of vending machines with the richer variety of a small store layout.

According to the AVA census, micro markets are proving increasingly appealing in several sectors, with a 37% year-on-year growth in the UK and 660 active installations nationwide.

Telemetry and smart technology allow facility managers (FMs) to integrate vending machines into their predictive maintenance schedules for other estate components, such as HVAC systems or essential healthcare equipment

Micro markets align perfectly with the round-the-clock operations of hospitals.

They provide a broader selection of products than traditional vending machines, including fresh food selections, which is crucial in healthcare settings where many people come throughout the day.

They serve these fresh items during staffed hours and more-traditional vending products during off-hours, adding invaluable flexibility for hospital staff and visitors who require 24/7 access to food and drinks.

On the technological front, micro markets use sophisticated point-of-sale (POS) systems compatible with various payment methods, simplifying and speeding up transactions for users.

For healthcare estate managers, micro markets bring reduced labour costs and offer real-time data on sales and inventory, facilitating waste reduction and ensuring the availability of popular products.

This capability will likely drive further innovations in micro markets and vending machines, enabling the tracking of consumer behaviour to guide inventory choices and product pricing.

Facilities managers will be able to develop optimal stocking strategies that align with their occupancy data, ensuring that occupants consistently have access to necessary products while minimising revenue loss and reducing food waste.

AI-enabled software

Vending machines have also reached new levels of efficiency due to advancements in vending management software.

This innovative technology, leveraging AI and automation, optimises stock levels, schedules refills, and plans efficient operator routes.

It ensures that operators visit machines only when necessary, enhancing operational efficiency, reducing unnecessary trips and overall waste and allowing healthcare estate managers to adapt offerings based on visitor and staff patterns.

Additionally, maintaining vending machines in well-stocked and fully-functional condition is crucial to customer satisfaction.

While traditional vending machines are now very advanced, a new trend is emerging in healthcare environments: the adoption of micro markets and Smart Markets

Connected machines make this much easier by sending notifications when supplies are low, or maintenance issues arise.

This allows vending operators and maintenance teams to respond quickly, ensuring machines stay operational and deliver great products to customers with ease. 

Waste management

Sustainability is a top priority for consumers, with many now seeking reusable cups and eco-friendly waste management solutions.

This is something the vending industry has been actively collaborating with the UK Government and Defra to address these demands.

As a result, Defra’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme aims to transfer the cost of packaging waste management from the taxpayer to the producers, encouraging reduced packaging use and a greater focus on recyclable materials.

Although concerns about potential cost increases have delayed its implementation, many see the benefits of such a scheme, which could foster closer collaboration between facilities managers and vending operators, enhancing waste management at healthcare and other facilities.

Another relevant method is the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), which encourages recycling through a refundable deposit system on drink containers.

With billions of plastic bottles and cans consumed annually in the UK, DRS could significantly reduce waste, supported by ‘reverse vending machines’ that facilitate easy recycling at workplaces.

As the UK progresses towards carbon neutrality, adopting schemes like EPR and DRS will be crucial for FMs in the vending sector to help achieve sustainability and meet environmental goals.

Looking ahead

In recent years, the vending industry has gone from strength to strength by adapting to contemporary work environments and aligning with health and lifestyle trends.

Healthcare estates managers are encouraged to embrace modern vending solutions that offer flexibility for patients and staff while ensuring a range of healthy and accessible snack options.

By investing in these new technologies, estates managers can enhance patient and staff wellbeing while maintaining the highest-quality offerings from their vending machines.

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