Automatic Merchandiser

AUG 2013

Automatic Merchandiser serves the business management, marketing, technology and product information needs of its readers including vending operators, coffee service operators, product brokers, and product and equipment distributors in print.

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VendingMarketWatch Top News Stories USDA announces school vending restrictions T he U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the "Smart Snacks in School" nutrition standards relating to the foods sold in school vending machines. Required by the Healthy, HungerFree Kids Act of 2010, the USDA's "Smart Snacks in School" nutrition standards refect USDA's thoughts and responses to the nearly 250,000 comments received on the proposal earlier this year. It includes specifc requirements for allowable vending iStockphoto snacks and beverages. Starting July 2014, products sold in school The interim fnal rule is available vending will have to follow strict USDA standards. on the federal register (FNS-20110019-4718) and is currently open for comments. The rule requires the standards to be put into effect July 1, 2014. ASSOCIATION RESPONSE Upon reviewing the "Smart Snacks in School" nutrition standards, NAMA issued a statement which included, "We commend the USDA on its effort to improve childhood nutrition and to empower families to make healthier food choices...We, however, stand by our [earlier] comments...Healthier food and beverage items should remain a choice and should include a wider range of offerings sold in schools." line. Staff of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission have also recommended clearance of the MEI acquisition, without conditions. Crane gets conditional ok for MEI acquisition ▶ Crane Co. reported that the European Commission cleared the pending acquisition of MEI conditioned upon Crane Co.'s entry into agreements satisfactory to the commission to implement remedies regarding two product lines — divestiture of the B2B bill recycler product line and licensing in Europe for the Currenza C2 coin recycler product 10 Automatic Merchandiser USAT announces three exclusive partnerships ▶ USA Technologies, Inc. announced that it has entered into three new exclusive agreements with existing customers during VendingMarketWatch.com August 2013 the third quarter ending June 30. The three agreements call for exclusive use of USAT's comprehensive ePort Connect® service and are all three years in duration. The new exclusive customers, City Vending Co., Fresh Brew Group and American Food and Vending Corp., are all regional vending companies. Hostess plans to freeze Twinkies ▶ Hostess Brands plans to freeze its baked goods, including Twinkies and HoHos, to extend shelf life, according to the New York Post. Previously, Hostess would ship the baked goods out within 48 hours of baking, but with fewer plants, the baked goods will be frozen and shipped through independent drivers. Third cupcake vending machine opens in Texas ▶ Sprinkles Cupcakes opened its third cupcake vending machine in Dallas, Texas, according to KCEN TV. The machine holds 400 cupcakes and was sold out within hours of opening. Baltimore lawmakers seek to ban reverse vending machines ▶ Local lawmakers in Baltimore, Md., are looking to ban the automated cell phone purchasing kiosks commonly called reverse vending machines, according to the Baltimore Sun. The kiosks have been linked to an increase in cell phone theft. Pennsylvania news features Canteen's micro markets ▶ WGAL News 8 inter- viewed Bill Heller of Canteen Vending in Lancaster, Pa., about its Avenue C micro markets. The interview highlights product fexibility, how transactions work and security, while comparing the micro market segment to convenience stores.

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