Exciting (fresh) things ahead.

Image by mackius via FlickrIts been a hectic and exciting couple of weeks here at Go4Fresh; here's a quick update on whats been going on:

> We've passed the milestone (hence the picture, sorry!) in our FSE funding conditions, so are now set to complete the build of the first batch of machines
> The first two machines have successfully run a trial period with local staff near our offices in Shoreham
> We have the first locations for our machines agreed and will be installing soon!
> We've had a couple of great meetings with the NHS (see previous post) who seem to be behind our project, and we've been well received with the local hospitals so far
> There's been some very good interest from retailers and also a HUGE organisation that I will have to keep under wraps for the moment (itching to say, though!)

In fact, there's lots of other things going on, but as I write, I realise that I can't share any of that just yet - you'll have to take my word for it that its all good and moving us forward with the project (which in itself is growing in potential as we go!)

Fresh food initiative in NHS

Image via WikipediaI've just got back from a great meeting with a procurement innovator in the NHS. With the research we have from previous conversations, and trials a few years ago, we had already identified a huge potential opportunity for the 24 hour provision of healthy, short shelf-life snack foods within hospitals, both for patients as well as staff, and today confirmed that we are on the .

The very helpful contact we met today has given us further insight into how the current system of vending and catering operations fit within the NHS business model and I've returned to my desk to review our approach and set up some key meetings with potential brands who could take advantage of the opportunity our micro-retailing units provide. It certainly seems that there is intention to provide healthier options to patients and staff, as prescribed (no pun intended!) in this NHS food procurement initiative. I now have a clearer understanding of how an offering like ours may also be measured from a fiscal perspective as well as answering tangible moral and CSR aspects.

There was also keen interest in potentially using our technology to safely store, audit and "vend" drugs and samples only to specified staff - its another avenue I have been exploring for some time that our technology addresses very well - more on that at a later date.
All in all, a great meeting - thanks Dave!

I am interested in your views.

• Are you in the NHS?
• Do you think that the food provided currently(whether for staff or patients) is healthy?
• Is it fresh?
• Can you get something to eat that you want, at a time you want it?
• Do you think healthy food provision within the NHS is high enough on the agenda?
  

Please let me know!

First vends made!

Wow! - Today I witnessed the first few people actually buy product from our final proof-of-concept machine.

Ian Rowling, the brains behind the scenes has completed all the integration tasks that were required to upgrade our interface screen to full colour and touch-screen functionality, re-tested all the system components and got the demo systems up and running...

..so we have started a live trial. We are aiming to simulate the placement of a machine in an office environment with regualr customers using it.

And the initial feedback has been very encouraging.

The (almost) free lunches
Around 30 people from local businesses around our workshops in Shoreham are now visiting daily to buy product (as supplied by our partner company Nibbles) and try the machine out for themselves.

The trial will run for about a week, and enable us to identify and iron-out any final bugs or interface issues that the public find or feedback to us about. We are actively encouraging feedback through a feedback form and discussions with each user as follows:
> Each user has been shown the machine, then left to pay for and purchase the products each day themselves.
> Each purchaser is given a feedback form for each time they use the machine, which they have to complete and return as a receipt.
> Purchaser eats product.
> Purchaser completes form - we are seeking to capture any and all feedback about the machine, the interface, the experience itself and the products bought.
> At the end of the trial period, we repay the monies spent to each user as a thank you for taking part.

Then we will collate all the data about the trial from our remote interrogation of the machine and build a picture of the times that people used the machine (helpful for knowing when is best to refill it), the condition of each product (how long it was in the machine and time of vend), the temperature of the machine at all times and the money taken.

We can then map this against the data received via the feedback forms to ensure that we have accuracy and continuity.

We will also have a list of things that we may need to attend to before our first placements are made (scheduled for early next month).

If you are taking part in the trial, thank you! and please feel free to feedback below!

How was it for you?