Taters and not Tangos in this vending outlet
17 March 2000
Taters and not Tangos in this vending outlet
By Andrew Swallow
VENDING machines are usually associated with canned drinks and chocolate bars. But a Herts grower has built one for potatoes.
Ian Wyld grows about 30ha (75 acres) of potatoes at Great Hormead Hall, near Buntingford. Normally his Desiree, Cara and King Edward are sold wholesale. Now an increasing proportion is sold through a slot machine dispenser at the farm gate.
"You put £2 in and get a 28lb bag of potatoes out," he says.
His home-made machine is mounted on the grain store door, so all that customers see is the coin box and delivery shoot. He is reluctant to explain the workings for fear of imitations, but says the cost of construction was minimal.
"The coin machine cost about £100, and the electrics another £100 or so, the rest of the cost was my time – we had the conveyors and the like already on the farm."
Potatoes for the vending machine are graded to the same standard as his wholesale export sales and bagged before loading the machine. Each fill-up of the machine can serve 16 bags and a stack of bags is kept nearby ready to reload.
Initially trade from the machine was slow, with some customers failing to grasp the slot machine concept. Now, the roadside sign states the potatoes are for sale at a self-service vending machine and trade is starting to pick up. Last week he sold almost a tonne.
Local pub landlord Francis Aspin is a regular customer. "It is convenient and I like to use local produce when I can. The quality is good and it is cheaper than buying through my vegetable wholesaler – about half the price."
Currently the machine is loaded with Cara, which at £2/bag are effectively making £160/t. That compares with £30/t for bagged, paletted Cara he sold recently for export.
Mr Wyld aims to provide a year round supply for his slot machine customers and is considering building a second machine to offer a choice of varieties.
SLOT MACHINE SPUDS
* £2 in, 12.5kg bag out.
* £160/t vending v £30/t wholesale
* Local service, good location
* Selling 0.75-1t/week.
* Year round service planned.
SLOTMACHINESPUDS
• £2 in, 12.5kg bag out.
• £160/t vending v £30/t wholesale
• Local service, good location
• Selling 0.75-1t/week.
• Year round service planned.
Direct sales through this novel vending machine are lifting potato values from £30/t to £160/t for Herts farmer Ian Wyld.