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All vending machines are convenient, but some are more convenient than others, thanks to special features. Here are some of the must-have accessories for drink and food vendors in Pittsburgh, PA.

Credit Card and Mobile Wallet Readers

It’s true: in the year 2020, many vending machines still don’t accept credit cards, let alone mobile payments. If your machines are still cash and coin only, you’re not serving a significant portion of your population. A survey by U.S. Bank found that 50% of respondents carry cash less than half of the time they are out. Millennials are especially likely to rely on credit and debit cards or digital payments through phone apps.

Bill Validators

At the same time, drink and food vendors can’t abandon cash and coin payments just yet. A bill validator is one of the most important components of a vending machine and also one of the most likely to act up or break down. If you find that your validator consistently rejects legal tender, it’s time to replace it so that people can keep getting the snacks they want. To get the most use, upgrade to a validator that can accept higher bills rather than just $1 and $5.

Coin and Bill Changers

Finally, your machine needs to be able to make change. The good news is that if your changer breaks, you’ll hear about it quickly from customer complaints. Make sure your changer can integrate well with the rest of your drink or food vendors’ components to avoid difficulties during the installation.

As the business world starts to open up again, we can use certain strategies that put employee safety first when returning to work after the COVID-19 lockdown. There are common-sense practices that can easily be applied to an office environment. We all need to use what we know about the virus, and how it’s spread through contact and respiratory droplets, to help implement workplace practices. Adding a Pittsburgh commissary in your break room can help mitigate risk to employees while providing them with high-quality, delicious food that is available with less human contact.

Maintain Distancing

While we all should be practicing social distancing and trying to keep a 6-feet radius between ourselves in public places, the practice will be just as effective in the workplace. While some employers have the advantage of having lots of space, those who don’t can modify workspaces to maintain distances of 6 feet. If you implement a Pittsburgh commissary, large stickers on the floor will encourage employees to stay apart.

Create Barriers Where Possible

If office furniture cannot be moved to separate staff, then place barriers between desks as another solution. Large pieces of cardboard or wood between gaps can create a cubicle-like separation. Remember, when we were children and hung up a sheet between our siblings and us to get some privacy in our rooms? That skill set might come in handy to create a COVID-19 barrier between you and your co-workers.

Keep the Workplace Clean

In a Pittsburgh commissary, and everywhere on the worksite, having extra clean surfaces will be critically important to mitigating risk. Hand sanitizer and surface disinfecting wipes are essential to employees and should be provided in all high traffic areas.

Anyone that has been by a Pittsburgh commissary for a bite to eat at work recently knows that it’s not as easy to feel safe as it used to be. With a global pandemic to worry about, employees who can’t work from home and the businesses that support them have to be cautious when it comes to frequent-use areas like the company commissary. Still, nutritious meals are a critical part of keeping crews of essential workers ready to meet today’s economic challenges. Here are a few ways to take precautions and encourage safety in eating areas:

Clean Frequently — As with everything else, the best defense against COVID-19 is diligence. Vending areas are high-touch by nature, but regular cleaning keeps them free from germ buildup.

Enforce Safety-First Policies — For businesses, it’s vital to have strong policies in place to protect themselves and their teams. From handwashing to mask use, you can protect your commissary and the people who use it by prioritizing sanitary practices in the workplace.

Partner with the Right Vendors — From cashless machines to trusted providers who take their own precautions when supplying food, having the right vending company on your side can make all the difference in employee confidence.

Vending isn’t a new business, but new technology and worldwide trends make it one that’s always in flux. That’s especially true in a year where worldwide changes to how people live, work, and eat have drastically shifted the economic and cultural landscape. Smart food vendors in Pittsburgh, PA, know that staying on top of opportunities in the industry is the only way to grow in a time marked by adversity. Let’s take a look at some of the top trends impacting the market today:

IoT Technology — Part of an ever-growing list of new technological capabilities, “internet of things” systems connect vending machines and the companies that manage them through complex networks of digital information that help with tracking and reporting.

Expanded Choice — From new brands breaking into the market to diet-specific options that dominate health-conscious consumer bases, it’s more important than ever to give customers more to choose from so that they see your vending operation as a source of both quality and convenience.

COVID-19 Changes — Vending has been hit hard by the sudden prevalence of work-from-home arrangements and limits on public travel. One place where many companies see the potential for growth is vending in healthcare facilities. Marketing to these locations is an excellent way to keep cash flows for food vendors positive during the pandemic.

Coffee has endearingly been referred to as a source of salvation when it comes to students, late-night workers, and honestly anyone who wakes up early in the morning. The hard times of 2020 have not deterred our society’s love of coffee, and that is all the better as it gives way to the most popular coffee trends of the year. Cee Bee Vending Inc. prides itself on giving people access to their favorite drinks with our popular beverage service in Pittsburgh, PA.

The Coffee List

If we’re talking about the most popular coffee trends in 2020 here’s a list of some popular orders:

Flat White: An espresso-based drink made with steamed milk and a thin layer of foam.

Buttered Coffee: Add a tablespoon of butter into your black coffee and ride that energy wave without a crash.

Ready-To-Drink Coffee: We’re talking bottled coffee you can find in convenience stores and grocery stores. The name says it all.

Cascara: Spanish word for “husks or peels” this coffee is in the business of using the dried skins of coffee cherries.

Coffee Cocktail: Same as how alcohol mixologists are masters of their craft, coffee barista experts like to mix their flavors up too. Don’t be surprised that the two things have now made a trendy mix.

Sweet Coffee Drinks: Coffee itself can be bitter, but creating a sweeter, caffeinated drink like Frappuccinos, coffee shakes, and smoothies is always a trend especially among younger people.

Nitro Coffee: Adding a little cold nitrogen to your coffee gives it a delicious foamy texture that’s continuing its 2019 trending debut in 2020.

Cold Brew: A decadent coffee process that takes half a day to steep and produces a rich, smooth, less bitter, less acidic, cold coffee.

We can meet your coffee needs with our popular beverage service. Our job is to make sure that vending machines, offices, and convenience stores are lined with your favorite ready-to-drink coffees. Keeping you informed about the delicious, trending coffees, you could be ordering at your local coffee shops is our pleasure. Trust in us and contact us to learn more about how you can take full advantage of the popular beverage service.

It is only natural that you want to take every precaution to protect your loved ones from getting sick from the COVID-19 virus. With different sources debating how long the virus can survive on various materials and surfaces, many are left wondering what precautions should be taken before purchasing food from various food vendors in Pittsburgh, PA. The current research has shown that there is no evidence that COVID-19 can be transmitted by contact with food or its packaging. The clearest risks have shown the most dangerous exposure comes from other people that are around you. Being vigilant about social distancing and using barrier devices like masks and gloves are still the most helpful ways to keep yourself safe. Likewise, washing your hands before and after touching or eating food is a much more effective way to mitigate the potential of spreading any viruses.

The Risks of Washing
Everyone has seen the early recommendation of washing all your purchased food items in the sink. However, washing vegetables, fruits, and packages all in the same sink may well create more risks than benefits. When you wash unpackaged items (like vegetables and fruits) in the same sink as packaged foods, you risk cross-contamination. Keep in mind that the virus does not last long on packaged items (which were likely handled with gloves), so you can skip washing those. On the other hand, the US Food and Drug Administration does recommend rinsing fruits and vegetables as usual. However, you should only use cold water, with no soap or disinfectants. Using any cleaning product on food can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, so it is best to avoid doing so entirely.

A New Normal?

From this point forward, when you return home after visiting a food vendor in Pittsburgh, PA, wash your hands, put away your purchased food items, then wash your hands again. Before you eat, wash your hands again. This method has proven to be much more beneficial in helping people avoid COVID-19 and many other viruses.

As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise across America, food safety has become more important than ever. Still, despite regulations requiring extra sanitization and care when handling food, the virus has certainly raised people’s suspicions about the food they’re eating. Nobody understands this better than we do as local food vendors in Pittsburgh, PA.

For food vendors, this is a particularly trying time. We’ve not only had to rethink how we operate as businesses, but we’ve also had to restructure our days to include extra sanitization and food prep time. Of course, it’s something any food vendor is happy to do to continue to serve people. Likewise, instead of setting up shop in public spaces, we’ve had to operate as takeout vendors and fully expand online ordering options.

For employees that make or package food regularly, they must keep hands and arms clean and follow cleaning procedures as directed by government entities. Likewise, any food prep stations are cleaned thoroughly on a regular basis, just as a precaution to avoid any potential spread, though there is no data to indicate that COVID-19 is transmitted via food. Still, we are doing what we can to mitigate any spread on our part.

Because business for food vendors has been greatly disrupted, we all depend on individual orders and repeat customers more than ever. The long-term effects are yet to be realized, but for the time being, food vendors across America and right here in Pittsburgh are committed to providing you with quality food you can count on.

Choosing the right food vending options for your workplace can be tricky. In addition to factoring in nutritional needs, you’ll have to figure out what types of food your employees are most interested in. If you’ve already done that, then you’re now probably trying to figure out which Pittsburgh area commissary would best fit those needs and if it’s worth the investment.

The Value of a Commissary Kitchen

If you’ve been debating the value of a commissary kitchen in your workplace, know this: you’ll be providing your employees with quality food options that keep them productive throughout the day. Instead of running out for lunch at a quick drive-thru window, your employees will be choosing from chef-made, fresh dishes that provide a much more nutritious midday meal. Plus, they’ll stay on-site, keeping them safe and ready to work as soon as they sit back down at their desk.

Supporting the Community

In addition to supporting your employees, a commissary kitchen is a great way to support local chefs and food vendors. Oftentimes, great chefs get their start by working at commissary kitchens where they can try out new recipes and create a menu all their own. This means you get excellent up-and-coming chefs providing delicious meals that everyone will love, and they get the experience and feedback they need to improve their skillset.

If you’re still unsure of whether a Pittsburgh area commissary is right for your workplace, you are welcome to call us and talk about your options.

Nothing helps power your people through a workday like healthy eating. Since the brain is an energy-intensive organ, it needs plenty of nutrition to maintain concentration throughout the day. Making nutrition a priority is an absolute must when it comes to improving the overall mental function and wellbeing of your workforce.

As your food vendor in Pittsburgh, PA, Cee Vee Vending, Inc. makes it easier to offer the right foods to keep a workforce motivated throughout the day. Keep these foods in mind when making your vending selections can help improve your employee’s mental function:

Green, Leafy Vegetables — These are rich in brain-healthy nutrients like vitamin K, lutein, folate, and beta carotene. These help slow cognitive decline.

Berries — Flavonoids, which give berries their beautiful colors, help improve memory.

Tea/Coffee — More than just a morning pick-me-up, these caffeinated beverages can improve mental function and help solidify new memories.

Walnuts — This nut is a particularly great source of protein and healthy fat. It also helps improve memory, lower blood pressure, and protect arteries.

There are numerous other healthy food options out there — these are just some recommended by our food vendor. If you have any questions about how Cee Vee Vending, Inc. incorporates these items into our snacking options, don’t hesitate to reach out.

When it comes to keeping your staff happy and productive, having well-stocked vending machines is critical. You don’t want popular beverages and snacks to run out, so it’s important to find and establish great partnerships with reliable food vendors in Pittsburgh, PA. However, due to the number of vendors out there, it can be difficult to choose the right one. As you decide on which vendor best meets your food vending needs, keep these things in mind:

Product Quality — A good vendor will have procedures in place to ensure that your orders are kept fresh and safe. While vetting food vendors, ask if you can tour their facility (if it’s local) or inquire as to what steps they take to maintain consistent product quality.

Try Before You Buy — Request samples of a vendor’s product offerings. This is especially important if you’re ordering fresh food options. You don’t want to find out that your vendor exaggerated about the tastiness of their snacks or beverages.

Service Quality — Timeliness with delivery is crucial. Look for vendors that offer flexible scheduling and priority delivery. An empty vending machine isn’t going to please your staff.

Once you establish a working relationship with a food vendor you trust, you’ll never have to worry about empty vending machines again.