BETHESDA, Md. — Vending machines featuring chips and pop are a thing of the past at Marriott Hotels, which is testing a new, healthy vending machine at Chicago Marriott O’Hare, dispensing hand-crafted salads, sandwiches and snacks made fresh using local ingredients.
The innovation was inspired by Anjana Kallarackal, a 21-year-old college student, who submitted her idea to the hotel’s Travel Brilliantly campaign, an online innovation portal. Marriott then partnered with Chicago-based Farmer’s Fridge, which supplied a kiosk packed with healthy eats. “Anjana’s idea inspired us, and thanks to Farmer’s Fridge, guests can now begin enjoying healthy food whenever they want it. Coming soon, Marriott Hotels will launch even more co-created travel ideas submitted to TravelBrilliantly.com by guests,” said Michael Dail, VP, Marketing for Bethesda, Md.-based Marriott Hotels.
Priced from $3 to $12, the vending machine offers healthy snacks such as The Detox Salad, made with organic kale and quinoa with fennel, fruits, beans and white balsamic vinaigrette; Greek yogurt and berries, made with low-fat Greek Yogurt, berries and locally sourced honey; and lemon pepper chicken.
