The Fresh Vending Podcast

Isaac Wu & Nathan Downs
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Unattended Fresh Food Vending is seeing explosive growth in the US market. Join us as we share insights, data and first hand experiences about this rapidly emerging market. hello@launchfoodspot.com

  1. 18.The Evolution of Vending: from spirals to smart fridges, how to vet solutions, & how hospitals are using it,

    11/04/2025

    18.The Evolution of Vending: from spirals to smart fridges, how to vet solutions, & how hospitals are using it,

    Vending is not what it used to be. In this episode, we discuss how the frontier of food retail is unattended, how vending companies are trying to adapt, and how most are failing. 🧠 What makes a smart fridge smart? We break down what constitutes a true smart fridge and what is just a cooler with a credit card reader slapped onto it. 🍦 The Provisions Suite: Sell ANY product 24/7 We introduce our new smart pantry and smart freezer and how these are leading the way in unattended retail of food and other products (phone chargers, gifts, ice cream, etc.) 👩🏻‍⚕️ Healthcare: 24/7 cafeterias, gift, and flower shops Healthcare workers shouldn’t have to choose between convenience and nourishment. We dive into how hospitals are utilizing FoodSpot’s new Provisions Suite (Smart Fridge, Pantry, and Freezer) to establish food-secure, self-service microstores across their campuses. 🎧 Learn more about how healthcare leaders are rethinking dining, wellness, and access: https://launchfoodspot.com/health-care/ 📩 Contact us: sales@launchfoodspot.com

    14 min
  2. 17. The Provisions Suite: The Next Generation of Micromarkets

    10/22/2025

    17. The Provisions Suite: The Next Generation of Micromarkets

    What happens when you combine the security of Amazon Go, the variety of a micromarket, and the flexibility and food safety of a smart fridge? You get FoodSpot’s new Provisions Suite — the next generation of unattended retail. In this episode, we explore how the Provisions Suite enables 24/7 access to any type of product anywhere — from gyms and universities to hospitals and office campuses. We also talk about the tech behind it: RFID tracking, theft prevention, and food safety that redefine what “smart vending” means. Learn more at launchfoodspot.com

    17 min
  3. 16. Smart Coolers on Higher Ed and Healthcare Campuses

    05/27/2025

    16. Smart Coolers on Higher Ed and Healthcare Campuses

    Higher ed campuses and hospitals represent the largest market for smart coolers due to... The command audience that need 24/7 smart coolersThe existing foodservice that can stock the coolersThe existing buildings to place the coolers inIn this episode, we discuss how higher ed and healthcare institutions are using smart vending platforms and outline best practices for launching one on your campus. You can watch the episode here. As always: Learn more at launchfoodspot.comReach out at hello@launchfoodspot.com

    26 min
  4. 15. How to Choose the Right Smart Cooler for your Food Business: a Market Analysis

    05/01/2025

    15. How to Choose the Right Smart Cooler for your Food Business: a Market Analysis

    Are you considering launching a smart cooler for your food business?  In this episode, we give a market analysis, give an overview of smart coolers, outline the different types of smart cooler technologies, and discuss how to choose the right one to sell your food 24/7. If you're interested in learning more, feel free to reach out here or at hello@launchfoodspot.com! Watch the episode here!

    13 min
  5. 14. Six Smart Fridge Use Cases & Revenue Numbers from Real Operators

    07/24/2024

    14. Six Smart Fridge Use Cases & Revenue Numbers from Real Operators

    What are smart fridges used for? And how much can they profit?  Operators use smart fridges to solve many different problems, and therefore achieve varying levels of profitability. In this episode, we discuss different smart fridge applications, including Revenue Generating Microstore24/7 Food PantryPure Amenity...We give a realistic range of revenue numbers based on data from our own clients at FoodSpot. Click here to watch this episode on YouTube. Have questions or want to reach out? We'd love to chat. Hello@LaunchFoodSpot.com

    20 min
  6. 13. Five Biggest Mistakes in Smart Vending

    06/11/2024

    13. Five Biggest Mistakes in Smart Vending

    Smart vending is fairly new in the United States. In this episode, we discuss the five biggest mistakes operators make in researching, launching, and operating a smart vending solution. Watch this episode on Youtube. If you have questions about operating a smart vending technology, we'd love to hear from you! You can reach out at hello@launchfoodspot.com For more information about smart fridge technologies for your food business, you can visit us at launchfoodspot.com

    26 min
  7. 12. Dr. Anita Hicks: Food Insecurity in Adult Learners and How to Establish Food Security on Higher Ed Campuses

    02/21/2024

    12. Dr. Anita Hicks: Food Insecurity in Adult Learners and How to Establish Food Security on Higher Ed Campuses

    23% of college students face food insecurity. Many campus programs and resources are being established to help solve this issue but are mostly geared toward undergraduate students. What about adult learners coming back for education after years away? Dr. Anita Hicks is the Associate Director of Auxiliary Services at Oakland University and has spent much of her research career studying food insecurity in adult learners. We discuss why food insecurity is prevalent among adult learners and what campuses can do to address food insecurity in this population and the broader campus community at large. If you're interested in learning more about solving food insecurity, visit us at LaunchFoodSpot.com or reach out at hello@launchfoodspot.com Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/-1QInTW80b8

    26 min
  8. 11. The Smart Vending Tripod: App, Hardware, Dashboard

    09/02/2023

    11. The Smart Vending Tripod: App, Hardware, Dashboard

    In this episode, we discuss how a fresh food smart vending solution needs three components to succeed: an app, the hardware, and a dashboard. We discuss how this looks in a smart fridge operation. App: You need a brand-forward experience that connects you to your customers 24/7.Hardware: You need a smart fridge that suits your brand image and unattended retail application (snacks/convenience store items/restaurant quality meals). To compare the 6 different smart fridge companies in the US, see this post.Dashboard: You need a dashboard that allows you to have full control and visibility over your smart vending solution.With these three "legs" stabilizing your smart vending tripod, you can focus on what matters most. Read more about how a smart vending tripod can empower your fresh food operation here. Watch the episode: https://youtu.be/LIPHcLhqCAc If you're interested in fresh food vending machines, launchfoodspot.com. Have questions? hello@launchfoodspot.com

    18 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Unattended Fresh Food Vending is seeing explosive growth in the US market. Join us as we share insights, data and first hand experiences about this rapidly emerging market. hello@launchfoodspot.com

Information

  • Creator
    Isaac Wu & Nathan Downs
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Fresh Vending Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Fresh Vending Podcast