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VendingMarketWatch Top News Stories he U.S. Food and Drug Administra- tion (FDA) has fnalized the rule requiring that calorie information be listed for edible products sold from vend- ing machines. The rule applies to all machines operated by a person engaged in the business of owning or operating 20 or more vending machines. According to the FDA, vending machine operators must comply with the rule by Dec. 1, 2016. NAMA responds In a statement to members, NAMA CEO Carla Balakgie called the ruling a "victory for our vending operator companies," and said on behalf of the association, she was glad to have fnal guidance on the issue. "Throughout the process, NAMA has worked with the FDA and Congress to increase their understanding of the relevant challenges faced by small business owners, comprising the majority of the vending and refresh- ment services industry," said Balakgie. "While we continue to review the rules, we will move forward in concert with our food manufacturing members on compliance, continuing the process already well underway by many industry manufacturers with- out the mandate of government," she continued. A link to the fnal rule can be found at www.VendingMarketWatch.com/12022379. T FDA Finalizes Vending Machine Calorie Labeling Rules ders is working with partners in California to open the frst Farmer's Fridge vending machine in Los Angeles in the frst half of 2015. A.H. Management Group Celebrates 75 Years ▶ A.H. Management Group Inc. located in Rolling Mead- ows, IL, is celebrating 75 years in business. The family- owned business was founded in 1939 by Anthony Hesch and Al Haemker and is now operated by three generations of Hesch family members. PayRange Launches ROI Calculator ▶ PayRange has launched an online calculator on its Website which allows opera- tors to discover the return on investment PayRange's implementation can bring to their business. By flling out seven felds, the calculator dynamically displays the net return on investment along with the out-of-pocket costs associated with installing the PayRange BluKey™ on any number of an opera- tor's machines. Coca-Cola Life Makes National U.S. Rollout ▶ Coca-Cola Life™ – a reduced-calorie cola sweet- ened with cane sugar and stevia leaf extract – made its national U.S. rollout in November. Coca-Cola Life has 35 percent fewer calories than other leading 8-f.-oz. colas, with 60 calo- ries per 8 f.-oz. glass bottle. The product has previously launched in Argentina, Chile and, most recently, Great Britain and Mexico. The FDA has finalized the vending calorie disclosure rule and set guidelines for operators. Canteen Acquires The Family Vending Co. ▶ Barry Frankel, founder of the Family Vending Company, announced that Canteen has purchased his operation in Sunrise, FL, including the vending, micro market and coffee service routes. "I just felt that the timing was never going to be better than at that moment for me to sell," said Frankel. Canteen offcially took over the operation August 25 and retained all 42 employees. Broker was Profes- sional Vending Consultants. Keurig, Community Coffee Co. Partner ▶ Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. (Keurig) and Community Coffee Company announced a multi-year licensing, manu- facturing and distribution agreement to bring Com- munity ® coffee to Keurig ® portion pack formats for consumer and commercial Keurig ® hot brewing systems. Financial terms of the agree- ments were not disclosed. Farmer's Fridge To Expand To California ▶ Chicago-based Farmer's Fridge salad vending machines will be expanding to Los Angeles, CA. Farmer's Fridge founder Luke Saun- 10 Automatic Merchandiser VendingMarketWatch.com December 2014