Vending Services Supplier

How to Get Vending Machines in the Office

by

Thinking About Getting Vending Machines in Your Office?

Are you considering getting a vending machine in your workplace, but don’t know where to start? Luckily, you’re not alone. Until you are at work, thinking about where to get that next snack or beverage, many people do not have vending machines at the top of their mind. You might have questions like: How much does it cost? Do I have to buy a vending machine? Can I pay for my workers snacks? Do I have to pay for my workers snacks?

We’re going to lay out the answers to all these questions below! And as always, we are more than happy to chat via phone (508-697-0800) or email about any other questions you might have.

How much does a vending machine cost?

Lucky for you, nothing! We supply all of our vending machines to businesses for free. You will never pay a “rental fee”, “setup fee or service fee when you choose to make your breakroom snacking space with Take 5 Vending.

Do I have to buy a vending machine?

Unless you want to start your own vending business, the answer is no! We provide all equipment, whether a coffee setup or vending machine, to businesses free of charge. Our business model works because you provide the space to place the machines in, while we make profit solely on what is sold through those machines.

Can I pay for my workers snacks?

Certainly! While a lot of businesses simply bring in vending machines or micro-markets for workers to purchase product themselves, some business owners want to reward their employees through providing free snacks and beverages. This can be done through a few avenues. You could opt for a pantry service where desired snacks are brought to your place of work and placed in “the pantry” of your office, then you are billed for the cost of the snacks/drinks. Another option that larger businesses opt for is the setup of a micro-market. This basically means we create a “mini store” in an area of your business where employees have access to fresh food, cold drinks, and snacks. The micro-market uses a self-checkout system, where each employee can have a preloaded “spending allowance” provided by the business to use on snacks, drinks, and other items in the market.  The last option would be to bring in a vending machine that doesn’t require payment on the front end to your breakroom, then we would retroactively bill you for the items bought from that machine.

picture of a micro-market
Picture of a Micro-Market

Do I have to pay for my workers snacks?

No, absolutely not! Businesses are doing employees a service through providing a breakroom they can obtain snacks from without having to leave the office. Many businesses opt to bring in vending machines or micro-markets and have employees pay for their own snacks as wanted.

How do I get started?!

Please feel free to visit our website at take5vend.com, visit us on Facebook, email us at tfivevending@gmail.com, or give us a call at 508-697-08000 – whichever works best for you! We are family owned and operated and have been since 1980. We are THE ONLY small vending business left in the Bridgewater/Rhode Island/ South Shore area, and truly appreciate your business.

Benefits of a Micro-Market in Plymouth

by

Do you wish you could offer your employees something bigger than vending machines in the break room? A micro-market is the perfect solution. It offers a wider range of snacks, beverages, and fresh food in open-front coolers and on free-standing racks. Your break room will become a welcoming space for everyone.

Here are three reasons why you should upgrade your break room with one of our micro-markets.

Flexible Plan of Attack

Each company’s break room needs are different from the time of day employees visit the break room to the room’s layout and physical location. To help meet your needs, we will customize a solution that fits your company.

For example, a neighboring business might be open during regular business hours. But your business might have a second or third shift. It doesn’t matter which shift your Plymouth employees work. A micro-market is open 24/7. It’s accessible to all employees, even those who work the second or third shifts.

Do you have a large break room that serves hundreds of employees? Maybe your company is smaller with limited space, or perhaps it’s somewhere in between. We can customize a plan that works for you. For instance, the layout of your open-concept market will be designed based on your physical space and number of employees. Is your company growing? No problem, your micro-market can grow with you.

Micro-Market Technology

In today’s changing work environment, technology must adapt to meet new demands. Likewise, technology in the break room must also adapt. Our micro-markets include state-of-the-art tools designed to create a seamless experience for your employees.

An important piece of technology is the self-checkout kiosk. Unlike a store, a micro-market doesn’t need a cashier. The kiosk also offers other features such as a touchless checkout process using mobile payment options. It can also share promotional and rewards programs with users.

Carefully placed security cameras help deter theft and keep an eye on the space. In addition, wireless technology helps us track inventory and equipment status. We use the real-time data to keep everyone’s favorite products in stock. The data also helps us figure out when it’s time to introduce new products.

Snacks and Drinks

The main purpose of a micro-market is to offer great-tasting snacks, beverages, and pre-packaged fresh food. Access to delicious on-site choices means your employees don’t have to go off-site for their lunch or coffee breaks. And, as a result, staying on-site creates many benefits, from unplanned team work to increased output.

Part of our job is to make sure your employees have the options they crave, whether it’s the latest energy drinks or specialty waters, the latest snack trends, or delicious fresh food. But don’t forget the coffee service. With most Plymouth adults drinking coffee every day, access to freshly brewed and flavorful coffee or tea is a benefit your employees will love.

For more information about our micro-markets, coffee service, and vending options, please contact Take 5 Vending at 508-697-0800 . We look forward to hearing from you.

Healthy Snacks that Sell in Boston and Providence Schools and Colleges

by

Healthy Snacks that Sell in Boston and Providence Schools and Colleges

Wondering what healthy snacks appeal to students? With today’s snack regulations, deciding which healthy snacks to stock your schools with is no easy feat. Despite these new regulations, students have shown they will in fact purchase healthy snacks in school. According to a study done by Y-Pulse that surveyed 1,314 consumers, including 177 full-time college students, college students snack more than all other demographics and are snacking at all times of the day. Whether after a long day of learning, before their after-school activities, or during a finals study break, healthy snacks are an important component to student’s everyday lives. 

College Student Snacking

Our goal at Take Five Vending is to ensure students have good quality, healthy snack options that they look forward to eating. Let’s take a look into what healthy snacks are being sold in Boston and Providence colleges and schools. 

Baked Chips – A Great Snack for Schools

Baked chips are a healthy alternative snack to the classic potato chip. Not only are they significantly lower in caloric value and fat content, but their taste doesn’t stray far from the original flavorful bite you’re expecting. Consuming baked chips as an alternative has the ability to leave students feeling less groggy in the classroom, allowing them to focus more on learning. Consider keeping a wide selection of baked snack options in your vending machines, because offering a variety of flavors like Baked Lays BBQ, Sour Cream, Original, and Onion encourages healthier snack consumption among students in schools and colleges. 

Granola & Protein Bars – To Keep the Students Going

One of the more obvious healthy snacks being sold in Boston and Providence schools and colleges are granola bars and protein bars. These healthy snacks are full of vitamins and fulfill student’s hunger with ingredients designed to keep them going throughout their day. There’s a type of snack bar for every different type of student. RX Bars are high in protein but made with as few ingredients as possible. Whereas Kind Bars make a wide selection of whole grain, whole nut, products with varying fruits. All of which are healthy snack options for students. 

RX Bars that are great for students

Beef Jerky – A Portable Treat for Students in College and High School

This simple snack has origins that date back to 1550, yet it remains popular today. Though there isn’t much to it, beef jerky is a healthy snack option that’s low in calories, high in protein, and a great source of vitamins and minerals. Jerky’s portable nature makes it accessible in almost every situation, perfect for a student on-the-go taking snacks with them to class. Most importantly, it’s a healthy option that leaves them feeling nourished and ready to be active.

Dehydrated Fruit Chips – A Healthy Option for Boston and Providence Schools

Getting students to eat fruit has never been easier with dehydrated fruit chips. What’s better than a refreshing piece of fruit? A fun way to eat it! Fruit chips allow students to indulge in the fun chip crunch while actually eating a healthy snack. Students might lean away from eating traditional fruit in school due to the messy nature of it. By supplying them with dehydrated fruit chips in the vending machines instead they have the option to make the healthy choice with no messy inconvenience. Offering items like plantain chips exposes students not only to healthy snacks, but to snacks they might not have been exposed to yet. 

Plantain Chips for Schools

Thinking about stocking your vending machines with healthier snacks? We’d be happy to go over options that work best for your school system whether it be a public school or private college. Contact us at (508) 697-0800 anytime 7am-3pm, Monday-Friday OR shoot us a message on our Facebook page Take Five Vending.

 

    

 

4 Healthy Beverages for Schools in Boston and Providence

by

It’s the time of year that kids are returning to school. Some are heading off to college in the Boston area and while others are starting their first day of elementary school in Pawtucket. No matter what the age, set students up for success with healthy eating habits. This includes what they eat AND what they drink. Students who are properly hydrated feel and perform better at all levels.

Want to promote wellness in the classroom? Here are four healthy beverages for Boston, Providence and Brockton schools.

1. Water

Providing access to drinking water gives students a healthy alternative to sugar-sweetened beverages. It helps to increase students’ overall water consumption, maintain hydration, and reduce energy intake if substituted for sugar-sweetened beverages.

There’s no such thing as drinking too much water. There’s also no such thing as offering water in too many ways. Consider keeping water in vending machines along with installing a water filtration service to allow students to access water in more ways than one.

2. Milk

Milk has 9 essential nutrients, including protein that kids need. It contains calcium and phosphorus, which are both important in building strong bones. If students aren’t a fan of white milk, flavored milk such as strawberry, chocolate, or Rhode Island’s classic coffee milk are all great alternative options. Don’t worry about getting a warm milk from a vending machine- all of our machines are climate controlled, so drinks are served at the temperature they’re meant to be enjoyed at.

Most importantly, milk is a tasty lunchtime drink that goes great with cookies!

3. Tea

Years ago, you might not try to pitch tea to a group of 5th graders. With the advent of healthy iced tea options reaching the market, the taste of tea has totally transformed and with it the demographic of its drinkers. Offering tea from brands like Lipton and Pure Leaf in vending machines to students is a great way to encourage healthy beverage consumption. Numerous studies have shown that a variety of teas may boost your immune system, fight off inflammation, and even ward off cancer and heart disease.

Wondering if hot tea is an option for the teacher’s room? Absolutely! We set up tea and coffee stations in many schools’ breakrooms to create a space that helps teachers and staff relax.

4. Juice

Last on our list is juice. This cold beverage is perfect for any cafeteria. Keep juices in your Boston, Providence, or Brockton vending machines. Whether you enjoy orange, apple, or tomato you’re sure to gain the health benefits. Juice can help your immune system and give you certain vitamins and minerals for a healthy body. It can also lower certain cancer risks.

Healthy Beverages for Your School

Want to hydrate students and teachers? Make healthier choices by offering these beverages in your Providence, Boston, and Brockton schools!

Contact Take 5 Vending at (508) 697-080 or tfivevending@gmail.com for information about our office coffee, vending, micro-market, or office pantry.