Vending
Photo: Adobe Stock
April 21, 2025
A vending machine in Tokyo, dubbed «Salad Stand,» is offering fresh salads, juices and fruit granola, highlighting Japan’s innovative approach to vending technology and healthy eating.
Operated by Japanese wellness company Kompeito’s Office De Yasai, the machine, which is located in the Tokyo Solamachi shopping mall, utilizes built-in cameras and AI to track foot traffic and expiration dates, dynamically adjusting prices. The technology aims to reduce food waste by potentially offering discounts on salads nearing their expiration, according to a Sora News 24 report.
The Salad Stand features eight varieties of salads made with fresh vegetables, along with cold-pressed juices and fruit granola made from discarded vegetable parts. The company’s initial service, «Vegetables at the Office,» aimed to make healthy eating more convenient for office workers, and this new venture expands that goal to the general public.
According to the article, with the AI pricing system, «You could even get a bargain, if you get your timing right.»