In a world where convenience often trumps nutrition, Better Fresh Farms is redefining what it means to grab a quick bite. With the installation of Statesboro’s first fresh salad vending machine at Cool Beanz, co-owners Brandi Burke AND David Anderson bringing the benefits of farm to table to the local community, making healthy eating as easy as pushing a button.

The idea of ​​creating a salad vending machine may seem revolutionary, but for Brandi and David, it’s the result of years of experience and innovation.

“People don’t have a lot of time to prepare meals, so we wanted to create something accessible and convenient,” Brandi explains. The idea took root while traveling abroad and seeing similar concepts in airports. Inspired by the potential, they decided to bring this fresh, fast, healthy option to Southeast Georgia.

Better Fresh Farms has always been about freshness, and their vegetables are grown hydroponically just down the road from Metter. “We grow everything here, and we can pick it every day at the best time,” Brandi says. Not only are their vegetables fresher, they’re also more nutritious, thanks to the controlled environment in which they’re grown. “We’ve done clinical testing that shows our vegetables are more nutritious—no herbicides, no pesticides, just clean, sustainable farming.”

The machine offers a variety of fresh salads, with plans to expand the offerings in the future. You can also buy protein in the form of grilled chicken or a boiled egg. Currently, there are only two options available (garden or Caesar), but the goal is to introduce more options, including options tailored to the specific needs of local businesses. Fresh fruit is also on the horizon, which will expand the range of healthy choices.

Running such a high-tech operation isn’t without its challenges. “Everything is remotely controlled temperature-wise,” Brandi notes, explaining that if temperatures fluctuate, they’re notified immediately and someone is always on hand to address any issues. The system even tracks when each item has been processed and placed in the machine, ensuring optimal freshness.

Despite the initial price tag ($8.99 for a large salad) that can cause some hesitation, Brandi emphasizes the value of her product. “The shelf life is so long that there’s no waste. It’s cost-effective to buy a better product once and for all,” she says. The way they grow their greens hydroponically results in a longer shelf life, so the salad you buy today will be fresh tomorrow.

Better Fresh Farms also focuses on community involvement. They run promotions where customers can post pictures of their salads on social media to receive discounts. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with many customers discovering the difference that truly fresh produce makes.

Brandi and David’s commitment to quality extends beyond salads. They’re already looking to the future, with plans to incorporate dry cells into honey and eventually expand the vending machine concept to other businesses in town. “This is my favorite project,” Brandi says. “It means the world to me, and I hope that in the future we can have more businesses in town, reaching out to a larger community.”

Better Fresh Farms’ journey started small, but its impact grows every day. As Brandi says, “Fresh is best, and that’s where Better Fresh came from.” With an innovative approach to healthy eating, Better Fresh Farms is poised to make a significant mark on the local culinary scene.

For those curious about what’s currently available, the Better Fresh Farms website offers a “Fresh Fridge” tab where customers can check the stock levels in their vending machine. It’s all part of their mission to make fresh, nutritious food available to anyone, anytime.

Visit www.betterfreshfarms.com to learn more and see what we have on offer in the Cool Beanz vending machine today.