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VendingMarketWatch Top News Stories cceptance of Apple Pay is growing quickly with more than 2,500 par- ticipating banks and 700,000 merchant locations. "Apple Pay has forever changed the way we pay for things," said Tim Cook, Apple Inc CEO at a live event March 9. "One of the cool and convenient places that has come up out of Apple Pay are vending machines," said Cook. He noted that Coca-Cola has 40,000 vending machines in the U.S. that accept Apple Pay, with plans to grow that number to 100,000 by the end of 2015. "If you're like me, you've stood in front of those machines too many times trying to uncrinkle your dollar bill and get it to be recognized," said Cook. "Those days are over." Mobile at the machine. In addition to the Coca-Cola Co., vending cashless payment providers have been steadily adding the Apple Pay option. In Nov. 2014, VendScreen announced that the company's retroft touchscreen devices were verifed to support Apple Pay. Similarly, Cantaloupe Systems announced that Apple Pay would be supported by all machines running Seed Cashless and in Jan. 2015 USA Technologies also announced support for Apple Pay. Apple Pay was released in the fall of 2014. A Apple Pay Expands In The Industry PayRange to allow custom- ers to pay for products using their smartphone at AVT-built machines. AVT plans on using its network of multimedia screens that are integrated into its automated retail- ing systems to present the features and benefts of the PayRange system and provide customers with instructions on how to load the applica- tion on to their smartphone and start using that device to pay for products. Starbucks To Introduce Cold-Brew Coffee ▶ Starbucks announced that it will be offering cold- brew coffee in 2,800 loca- tions beginning March 31, 2015. The move comes fol- lowing successful cold-brew tests in Boston, MA, and San Francisco, CA, in 2014. Coffee Cost Slumps To One-Year Low Despite Global Defcit Forecast ▶ The downward trend in the coffee market over the last few months continued in February, the Interna- tional Coffee Organization (ICO) reported in its monthly Coffee Market Report. The ICO composite daily price dropped to a low of just under $1.30 per pound, more than $.50 less than its most recent peak of $1.85 in October 2014. Despite this downward pressure on prices, world production is expected to come to 142 million bags in crop year 2014/15, 4.6 million less than 2013/14 and its lowest level in three years. Apple Inc CEO Tim Cook highlighted the use of Apple Pay at vending machines at a March 9 event. Quench Launches Offce Coffee Service ▶ Quench USA announced that it has launched a full- service offce coffee program. Quench's coffee machines incorporate the same water fltration and purifcation technologies used in the company's water coolers and ice machines. In addition to offering thermal and single- cup coffee brewers, Quench also provides a full-line of brand-name coffees, teas and related supplies. State Senator Proposes Tougher Nutrition Standards ▶ Maryland State Senator Ronald Young has proposed three bills, one of which is aimed at tightening the nutrition standards for vend- ing machines in schools. The bill would require a county board of education to develop and implement a policy that requires vending machine products sold in public schools comply with specifed nutrition standards and a wellness policy for the entire school day rather than just part of the day. The other two bills are designed to reduce sugar intake in school meals and form wellness committees to recommend physical, mental and social health programs for students. Young's bills are being considered by the Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee. AVT Partners With PayRange To Enhance Vending Systems ▶ AVT, Inc. announced that it has partnered with 10 Automatic Merchandiser VendingMarketWatch.com April 2015