Vege stand goes 'high-tech'
THE humble roadside produce stand has been launched into the modern era by Wyreema farmer Ray Diack.
The vegetable farmer has designed and built a giant roadside vending machine which he said had the potential to change the relationship between farmers and customers.
"Most farmers I talk to who sell produce on the side of the road lose about 30 per cent of their produce to theft," Mr Diack said. "So they end up putting out second grade produce."
"The public should be getting the freshest, best produce they can get."
To achieve this, Mr Diack, who recruited the assistance of an engineer friend, has transformed a shipping container into a refrigerated vending machine.
The prototype "coin operated fruit shop" took Mr Diack almost two years to build and left him with "not much change from $100,000."
It can hold almost 100 items which can be selected and paid for by simply inserting some coins and pressing a button.
A small window then opens and the produce can be taken by the customer.
Mr Diack said his innovative design is currently undergoing a patent application.
"I stock my produce as well as produce from other farms around the area," he said.
"Ideally, I would like to see these machines at the front gates of farms all around the area so we can trade our produce amongst each other and make sure the customers are getting the best fruit and vegetables they can."
Would you like to see more direct distribution of fresh produce?
