# Fruity Vending Machines Japan Gets a Healthy Snack Alternative With Dole Banana Vending Machines By Michael Hines | Published 2010-07-08 | Business Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dole-banana-vending-machines References: [fareastgizmos](http://www.fareastgizmos.com/other_stuff/japans_first_banana_vending_machine_installed_in_shibuya.php) & [dole.co.jp](http://www.dole.co.jp/) Citizens of Japan now have a new snack food alternative, thanks to the [Dole Banana](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/canned-fruit-range) vending machines. These vending machines debuted in June 2010 and have been a hit, selling out every single day. The bananas in the Dole Banana vending machines come in either single pieces ($1.45) or a bunch of five ($4.43). Those prices seem incredibly expensive, but the bananas are probably the healthiest thing to come out of any machine in Japan. Hopefully this idea takes off in Japan and gets imported stateside. I'd take fruit over a bag of [Fritos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flamin-hot-1) any day. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.4/10 - Popularity: 52% | Activity: 71% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business) > [Retail](https://www.trendhunter.com/retail) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Healthier Vending Machines:** Opportunity for businesses to introduce vending machines with nutritious snack options, catering to health-conscious consumers. - **Convenience of Fresh Fruit:** Potential for vending machines to provide fresh fruit options, offering convenience and accessibility for busy individuals. - **Shift Towards Healthy Snacking:** Growing demand for healthier snack alternatives presents an opportunity for businesses to capitalize on this shift in consumer preferences. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Vending:** Vending machine industry can explore incorporating healthier snack options to meet the changing consumer demands. - **Health and Wellness:** Health and wellness industry can benefit by promoting and supplying fresh fruit as a convenient snack option. - **Food and Beverage:** Opportunity for food and beverage companies to innovate by creating and distributing healthier snack products that can be sold through vending machines. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [AI-Enabled Salad Vending Machines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/salad-stand-vending-machine.md) - [Off-Beat Shellfish Vending Machines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/farm-suzuki.md) - [Snacking-Friendly Dried Fruits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/del-monte-fruit-snacks.md) - [Tropical Fruit-Only Dessert Cups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dole-fruit-bowls.md) - [Banana Purée Hand Pies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/asian-sweets.md) - [Chocolate-Dipped Frozen Bananas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/real-frozen-bananas.md) - [Frozen Chocolate Banana Slices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reeses-frozen-fruit-banana-slices.md) - [Chocolate-Dipped Banana Desserts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chocolatedipped-banana.md) - [Banana-Based Roll Cakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/banana-rice-flour-roll-cake.md)