Four food producers register interest in vending machines trial in north Wales

FOUR food and drink producers have showed an interest in a novel vending machine to be located in two high-profile locations in Gwynedd.

Instead of sweets and fizzy drinks, it will offer products such as local milk, Welsh water, cheese, jams and preserves.

Two more local producers have been left disappointed, as the machine lacks freezing capacity for ice cream and will not have a licence to sell alcohol.

Application for a six-month pilot project from Arloesi Gwynedd Wledig (AGW) closed yesterday.

The rural business agency plans to operate a 20-locker vending machine in two locations for three months each between June and November.

Two potential locations, at Portmeirion in Porthmadog, and Plas Heli, the Welsh National Sailing Academy in Pwllheli, have expressed an interest in hosting the machine.

National Trust Wales is also said to be considering its options.

Project manager Rachel Roberts said it had the potential to be a unique way of delivering fresh produce.

“We’re still undecided on our exact market,” she said.

“It could be tourists who are looking for Welsh produce, or perhaps local people wanting to pick up a pint of milk on their way home from work.

“Much will depend on where we choose for it to be located.”

Increasingly, vending machines are being ordered from all over the UK specifically to offer local and fresh produce.

But AGW said it was unaware of any operating in North Wales.

The idea originated from Agrisgôp meetings of the North Wales Dairy Sheep Group, whose members hope to sell their ewe’s milk cheese this way.

Ms Roberts said: “According to some, vending has a key role to play in the future, and we feel we need to be at the forefront.”

Around 20% of the sales prices will go towards the running of the machine, which will be made specifically for AGW by Scottish firm JSR Services.

This will help pay for a co-ordinator, who will receive automatic text messages from the machine when it recognises that stock levels are getting low in individual lockers.

The co-ordinator can then alert producers, who will be responsible for restocking the machine.

Producer identities will be confirmed next month and the machine is due to start operating in June.