Del Monte Cultivating Vending Machines?

by Nicki Gostin, Posted Feb 11th 2010 @ 3:30PM

Credit: Corbis

There's been an unexpected spike in vending-machine news this month (yes, Slashfood counts two noteworthy changes in that industry as a "spike" ). Last week it was about touch-screen technology on the outside, now it's about the snacks contained inside.

College students at Notre Dame have another weapon in fending off the notorious "freshman fifteen": Del Monte fresh fruit and vegetables are currently available in vending machines all over campus, offering a healthier alternative to the usual corn-syrup and salt-laden options. The machines will also be introduced at The University of Miami and Miami-Dade College.

The snack packs -- which are specially packaged to ensure you don't bite into a limp veggie or soggy piece of fruit -- include bananas, pineapple chunks, apple slices, grapes, baby carrots, celery and tomatoes (and some include low-fat dips as well). All of them are 120 calories or less.

"We are excited about the launch of Del Monte Fresh Produce Company's fresh fruit and vegetable vending line at Notre Dame," said Dennis Christou, Vice President of Marketing, N.A. at Fresh Del Monte to Slashfood. "With the rates of obesity among children and adults rising, and the increasing emphasis on the benefits of fresh fruits and vegetables, it is important to give consumers healthier options in as many venues as possible."

Filed Under: Business
Tags: del monte, del monte fresh produce company, del monte notre dame, del monte vending machines

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

2-11-2010 @4:54PM Aaron said... I'm glad they're trying this out, but I dunno if fruit from a vending machine should really be called "fresh". I wonder how long that special packaging will keep un-fresh fruits edible.

120 calories doesn't leave much room for corn syrup at least. Sounds like a better idea than chips and candy.
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2-18-2010 @6:19PM CB said... Totally agree with the previous commenter ... don't think fruits and vegetables should be called fresh if they are "specially packaged" and come from a vending machine!

But I'm skeptical about Del Monte's "healthy" products, though, since their new so-called Fruit Naturals are loaded with extra sugar or Splenda ... yes, eating most any fruit is better than snarfing down a candy bar, but I'm not sure Fruit Naturals should be considered a "healthy" snack.

They don't even list the ingredients on their website (http://www.delmonte.com/Products/FruitsList.asp), which makes it tough to determine how much of the 13+g of sugar is natural or from the fruit vs. how much is added sugar. Lame!
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3-06-2010 @7:01PM Matt said... Try the Mango Grilled Chicken Salad recipe http://www.fruitundressed.com/recipes/mango-salad.html from Del Monte!

This message is being posted on behalf of Del Monte and we hope that it is of interest for you.
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