Washington, D.C.-based company ScratchDC has been able to expand services with the use of refrigerated vending machines. ScratchDC—which delivers heat-and-eat gourmet foods to consumers’ homes—began growing so quickly that it was hard for the company to keep up with the demand, The Washington Post reports. In comes the idea of using refrigerated vending machines.
ScratchDC’s owner launched TinyGrocery, a program for refrigerated vending machines that can be placed in offices, gyms and apartment complexes. The machines are stocked with ScratchDC products—including supper kits, cold brew coffee and hummus among other items—and are only accessible with the swipe of a credit card. Once the user has swiped their card, they are able to open the door and select a product. A microchip on the product’s packaging allows the user to be charged.
The source reports that ten TinyGrocery vending machines have been placed throughout D.C. Pantry, Inc. reports it is providing the Pantry kiosks for ScratchDC's TinyGrocery program.