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VendingMarketWatch Top News Stories n February 2017, the Indiana Senate Commerce & Technol- ogy Committee and then the full Indiana Senate passed a bill that codifies the definition of a micro market. SB 77, authored by Sen. Jon Ford and co-authored by Sen. Jim Merritt and Sen. Tim Lanane, was designed to protect the investment of all members operating in the rapidly emerging micro market seg- ment of the vending industry. Need for legislation According to the Indiana Refresh- ment Providers Association (IRPA), formerly known as the Indiana Vending Council (IVC), micro markets have been allowed to exist in Indiana as the result of a "Governance Document" negotiated with the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH), which Jeff Snyder, president of IRPA considers nothing more than a "gentleman's agreement" that could be rescinded at any time. A governance document does not have the force of law (either statutory or rule) and the amount of investment in micro markets has grown too large to leave to chance. Now that it has passed in the Senate, the bill will move to the Indiana House of Repre- sentatives. IRPA continues to support the bill, planning for the next legislative session. I Indiana Senate Passes Micro Market Bill to those in the vending and coffee sector, reports Press Republican. The retail model includes opening a store front, Choice Coffee, in both Plattsburgh and Queensbury, NY, where customers have the opportunity to mix-n- match different K-cups. Elior Group To Acquire MA-based Vending, Micro Market Operator Corporate Chefs ▶ Elior Group is planning to acquire Corporate Chefs, expanding the company's position in the United States on the Business Dining and Education markets. Elior Group, one of the world's leading operators in the contracted food industry, has signed a definitive agree- ment through its US subsid- iary, culinary management leader Elior North America, to acquire Corporate Chefs, a Massachusetts-based provider of freshly prepared, high quality meals for the Business Dining and Educa- tion markets. Casco Bay Vending Acquires Two Maine- Based Competitors ▶ Casco Bay Vending has acquired Maine-based competitors Pine State Vend- ing, a division of Pine State Trading Co, and Canteen of Maine in an amicable acqui- sition. Casco Bay Vending, based in Lewiston, Maine, assures employee retention with comparable or improved employee opportunities while keeping all companies Maine-based and managed, honoring long-held traditions for all. The Indiana Refreshment Providers Association (IRPA) is fighting for clear micro market definitions. Five Star Acquires Southern Coffee Service ▶ Five Star Food Service announced the acquisition of a Chattanooga coffee service legend, Southern Coffee Service or as the locals call it, "Southern". Long a staple in the coffee and water service industry in Chattanooga, Southern and former owner Robert Berman are per- haps as well-known for its civic engagement and philanthropy across the region. Berman purchased Southern Coffee Service in 1984 from its original owner James Powell, Sr. who founded the company in 1960. After acquiring ARAMARK Tri-State division in 1990, Southern grew into one of the largest and most respected vendors in the area. Berman will remain active in the business at Five Star serving in a sales and customer service capacity. New York Vendor Expands K-Cup Mix-n- Match Retail Concept Plattsburgh, NY based Valley Vending is expand- ing its coffee and tea retail model, including offering it 10 Automatic Merchandiser VendingMarketWatch.com February/March 2017