Plátano de Canarias to sell bananas in school vending machines

Making fruit accessible anytime, anywhere is key to promoting a balanced, healthy diet. In an environment in which ultra-processed products continue to dominate fast shopping, the Association of Banana Producers' Organizations of the Canary Islands (Asprocan), within the framework of the Proper Diet program co-financed by the European Union, has started collaborating with the Valencian company Tareca to launch a pilot test with vending machines in Valencia to assess the response of the younger population to greater accessibility to fruit in this food sales channel.

This project coincides with the initiative of the Ministry of Social Rights and Consumer Affairs, which is drawing up a decree to restrict the sale of industrial pastries, energy drinks, and sugary drinks in schools and colleges.

© Plátano de Canarias

A response to the new school food regulations
© Plátano de Canarias

As part of the research for this program, experts, teachers, parents, and consumers have pointed out the lack of accessibility of fruit compared to other products, which is why Plátano de Canarias has been working to initiate different market tests in key purchasing channels for children.

On this occasion, Plátano de Canarias and Tareca have installed vending machines in different high-traffic points so that children and adolescents can quickly and easily choose Plátano de Canarias.

"If we want to increase fruit consumption, consumers must be able to find fruit where they purchase food," stated Sergio Cáceres, Plátano de Canarias' marketing and communication director. "Vending machines are an expansion channel where we also have to contribute to building healthy eating habits," he added.

© Plátano de Canarias

The logistical challenge: Making fruit viable in vending machines
Despite its health benefits, fresh fruit is not commonly sold in vending machines for several reasons: it's fragile, perishable, and requires specific storage conditions. Ultra-processed snacks can stay in a machine for months, but fruit needs proper refrigeration, unit packaging, and constant rotation to ensure freshness and avoid waste.

To overcome these barriers, the machines installed in Valencia have refrigeration systems that will maintain the temperature of the bananas, which will be sold individually and packaged in transparent micro-perforated bags with individual labeling to comply with the requirements of the regulations for this type of food sales. These last two conditions are cost overruns, which, in the case of fruit, could be reconsidered by the regulations to facilitate these products' access to this sales channel.