Meat Vending Machines Appear in the Hudson Valley

Meat from a vending machine has come to the Hudson Valley.

It may sound like an odd concept, but Applestone Meat Company in Accord is making headlines across the farming world with their revolutionary meat vending machines. Josh Applestone, who owns the meat company with his wife, Jessica, recently spoke with Modern Farmer about their innovative new concept.

Spending most of his time working with local farmers and operating the company's two processing plants, Applestone has focused his energy on delivering his product directly to consumers. With no time to run a retail store, the local butcher came up with a whole new way to sell his locally raised, sustainable cuts of meat directly to the consumer. He put them in a vending machine.

Applestone worked for almost two years to develop and perfect his vending machines. They're equipped with safety features that monitor the temperature levels around the clock. The meat vending machines are stocked with burger patties, sausages, steaks and even meatballs that are all locally grown, sustainable and processed right here in the Hudson Valley.

Right now there are two meat vending machines in operation at the Applestone Meat Company's main location on Route 209 in Accord. Each is capable of holding up to 240 items. But the company says they are already planning to install more machines throughout the Hudson Valley area.  Soon there will be two more machines added to their main location and four more at their second plant in Stone Ridge. Applestone says that he also has plans to add machines at additional locations that are more convenient for Hudson Valley commuters.

We want to know what you think. Would you purchase meat out of a vending machine?
Do you think this is a convenient way to shop for quality meat 24 hours a day? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.