Home›Real Estate›Industry›Farmers expand vending machines to bring fresh milk an…

Farmers expand vending machines to bring fresh milk and local food to rural areas

Whole Moo World says about 30% of its 4,500 liters of daily milk output is sold through 17 vending machines, with the rest going to a processor.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Industry

A UK farming family is using vending machines to sell fresh milk and other local foods directly to rural customers, aiming to improve access to options that can be limited in so called food deserts. The Guardian describes how Emma Poulter and her daughter Bonnie use the machines, which stock items such as milk plus products including scotch eggs, sausage rolls and brownies.

Whole Moo World, based in Herefordshire, began with trials of vending as a way for farmers to control pricing rather than rely solely on processors. Mark James, 70, said the business makes farmers price makers rather than price takers, adding that without the vending model they would have to consider giving up milk.

The company says it produces just over 4,500 liters of milk per day from a herd of 130 dairy cows at Bodenham, and that roughly 30% of that volume is sold through its 17 Whole Moo World vending machines across Herefordshire and nearby Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Shropshire. The remaining 70% is sold to a local milk processor.

As the vending operation grew, Jacob and Sam James expanded into retailing cakes, sandwiches and other treats from small local producers through a related venture called Tuckshop, which now runs 22 sites. Jacob said the approach can help farmers reach consumers even without a suitable location or the funds required to build their own farm shop.

More like this

Sources