Photo credit: Courtesy of Ohio Pork Council
There was a notable addition to Ohio State University: a bacon vending machine. This machine is located in the Animal Sciences Building, part of the university’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, offering ready-to-eat bacon servings for just $1. The simplicity and novelty of this concept raise several questions.
The existence of the bacon vending machine is confirmed and quite real. Installed by the Ohio Pork Council, it has received a warm welcome on campus, according to an email from the council. This intriguing development prompts a closer look into its specifics.
Understanding how it operates is straightforward: one simply needs to insert money to receive bacon ready for consumption. The authenticity of the bacon is assured, with Sugardale Foods, Hormel Foods, and Smithfield Foods being the suppliers. There’s no need for customers to cook the bacon; it’s provided ready to eat, a feature that aligns with the availability of pre-cooked bacon in the market for years, popular for its convenience in salads, sandwiches, or as a standalone snack, and even available for bulk purchase online.
The value offered is quite generous; $1 can fetch either a box of 12 bacon slices or a pouch of bacon bits. The Ohio Pork Council installed the machine, but all proceeds are directed to the Ohio State Meat Sciences program, indicating a beneficial arrangement for the university’s program. Maintenance and restocking of this unique vending machine are handled by students from the Ohio State Meat Sciences program, ensuring its continuous operation.
Ohio State University has shown enthusiasm for this project. Lyda G. Garcia, an associate professor in the Department of Animal Sciences, expressed excitement about the partnership with the Ohio Pork Council for the Bacon Vending Machine project, highlighting the positive reception among local bacon enthusiasts.
The future of the bacon vending machine at Ohio State remains uncertain. It is a temporary installation, planned to be on campus until December 13. The Ohio Pork Council hinted at the machine’s uncertain future, suggesting that its return is possible but not guaranteed, leaving us to wait and see what happens next.
Reference: https://gizmodo.com/i-have-a-few-questions-about-this-bacon-vending-machine-1830943279
