Beverages, especially carbonated soft drinks (CSDs), are an essential part of the vending channel’s success. Although the vending industry faces challenges, like complying with new government regulations and trying to meet consumer health-and-wellness demands, industry experts say that the vending channel is poised for growth.

Smart technology, government mandates and consumer expectations are changing the face of the vending channel.

Just a few decades ago, beverage fleet managers worked with a well-established and generally predictable set of equipment-related variables to arrive at a total fleet operating cost that could be factored in to the wholesale product prices charged by a distributor.

During the first quarter of 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported 316 food recalls, according to Stericycle ExpertRecall, Indianapolis.

For the first time in more than 15 years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced new standards for school meals, including beverages. 

The International Society of Beverage Technologists (ISBT), Dallas, hosted its annual BevTech meeting from April 30 to May 2 in San Diego.