A Queensland company responsible for providing an alternative to unhealthy afternoon snacking admits it is looking to expand interstate, and has often been asked to consider spreading internationally. Fruitbar launched its vending machines in 2014, and is now located at several sites across the city of Brisbane.
"It's one of those things that everybody just gets excited by, bananas and fruit in a vending machine," Fruitbar Marketing Officer Mike Evans said. "It starts with bananas, but it also has yogurt, nuts, meals and even healthier comfort food replacements like protein balls and seed bars“
Fruitar says one challenge has been building a good reputation and keeping high standards, as they cannot afford to supply any produce that is not perfect in terms taste and quality. Therefore, machines are stocked daily with a variety of ‘peak season fruits’.
"There is still that barrier in saying 'is something in a vending machine truly going to be fresh' so we have to tend to them daily," Mr Evans said. "If we were to say 'what are we trying to do' it would be, instead of just growing a product, we want to target consumers, our concept is all about taste and experience. It is unacceptable to put a product in there that is not going to taste great."
The company is owned by the Mackay family, who are banana growers in Tully in North Queensland. From there they came up with a new initiative to sell their bananas, but soon began adding a wide variety of produce.
"The goal is not to say we must have a certain item in there, we go with the seasons and what's best," the Marketing Officer said. "So during the beginning of stone fruit season, we've put in peaches and nectarines, then we work to cherries, then we work towards plums as the season continues on. With apples we work our way with different varieties. We've got avocados in there - perfectly ripe and ready to eat on the go."
One thing consumers do not have to worry about is the fluctuation in terms of market price.
"We hold consistent pricing throughout the year," Mr Evans said. "Sometimes we make slightly more profit, sometimes we make slightly less profit. Our service is not a fruit shop. We are basically a ‘better’ meal and snacking option, so our competition is not a traditional supermarket. Our competition is a bottle of soft drink, chocolate bar or a packet of chips."
The vending machines are located at eight different venues across Brisbane, with some containing multiple machines on site. Mr Evans says interest has grown so much, and the company is fielding several calls a week from potential vendors interstate and internationally, but first the company needs to continue working to strengthen the brand and product locally.
"There is strong interest from all over the world, but our interest is to get it right and improve it and get it very successful, so we're not even looking to franchise it but to manage it well," he said.
For more information:
Mike Evans
Fruitbar
Phone: +61738001644