Using a blend of technology and data we created a vending machine like no other.

The Sending Machine is a digital vending machine that doesn’t dispense food but sends it straight to the local food bank making food donation smarter and more efficient.

Food bank stock data is collected and analysed and the Sending Machine updates in real-time, reconfiguring to display the products that are urgently required. Passers-by are able to send what’s really needed to those who really need it. Items are quickly purchased and donated using contactless payment technology. An online food retailer then delivers these items to the food bank.

One of the benefits of this streamlined process is that the delivery of the products can be synchronized with food bank distribution schedules. This means fresh food can be donated as well as the typical long-life products.

The UK is suffering from a food poverty crisis and it’s getting worse. More than 8 million people are struggling to put food on the table which has led to a 13% rise in food bank use. This has put a huge strain on food banks and their ability to consistently provide balanced and nutritious meals.

Food banks rely on the public for donations which they receive via physical donation points but this has led to supply issues:

• At specified drop points for pre-purchased items, food banks often receive too many of certain products and not enough of other essential items.

• At prompted drop points commonly at supermarkets, they are often past the point of purchase which results in fewer donations or donations that aren’t actually needed.

We set out to create something that triggered people to donate and only send what is actually needed.