Scotland potato producers introduce spud vending machine

Yes, you read that right.

Two of Scotland’s top potato producers” have installed a spud vending machine in a shopping center. And much to the doubters’ surprise, it hasn’t been a complete bust.

Here’s more from Farmers Weekly:

The doubters say the concept was bizarre and asked if the potatoes would be dispensed one at a time. They wondered if shoppers would need to bring their own bags to catch them as they rolled out of the dispenser? Then last December, when the equipment was wheeled in and stocked early one morning, it was the turn of the retail centre cleaners to smile and shake their heads.

But cousins Pete (37) and Euan (33) Grewar had the last laugh. Their idea has proven a success. And while they have plenty on their minds running their 530ha seed and ware potato business in Angus and Perthshire, as well as contract farming an additional 2,800ha across Scotland, it is clear this diversification has captured their imaginations.

Every time Pete gets an automatic alert on his phone telling him the lockers are half empty, he gets a kick from the direct connection between the farm and the public buying his produce.

And while the returns from the four vending machines are small beer in comparison with the long-established core business at East Ardler, near Blairgowrie, they are already turning over £1,000/week.

One thousand Euros is the equivalent of $1,096.20. Who’s going to be the first to build one of these machines in the United States?

Pictures of the spud vending machine are available here.

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