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A Vending machine, which promotes the snacks as “highly nutritious meals of the future,” was set up in the city of Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture.

Nine types of insect snacks, including fried crickets, mole crickets, bamboo worms, diving beetles, locusts and silkworm pupae, are sold for 1,000 yen (about US$8) each. The aim is to contribute to the realization of the United Nations’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This is a project carried out by Sanpuku Holdings and the insects was processed by Hamaru Food.

A January 2021 study in Critical Reviews in Food Science Nutrition said edible insects may have “high superior health benefits” due to high levels of vitamin B12, iron, zinc, fiber, essential amino acids, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and antioxidants. Cricket is a great source of protein from their muscle-bound hind legs used for jumping.

Key advantage of eating Insect Snacks:

1. Nutritional Value: Insects like crickets, mealworms, and ants are rich in high-quality protein, containing all nine essential amino acids. They also provide healthy fats, vitamins (such as B12), minerals (like iron and zinc), and fiber, contributing to a balanced diet.
2. Sustainability: Insect farming is much more sustainable compared to traditional livestock farming. Insects require significantly less water, feed, and space, and they produce fewer greenhouse gases. This makes insect-based foods a more environmentally friendly option for protein consumption.
3. Resource Efficiency: Insects convert feed into protein much more efficiently than traditional livestock. For example, crickets need 12 times less feed than cattle to produce the same amount of protein.
4. Low Risk of Disease Transmission: The risk of diseases transmitted from insects to humans is relatively low compared to that from conventional livestock such as cows, pigs, and chickens, which can carry diseases like swine flu or avian flu.
5. Versatility: Insect snacks come in various forms, including whole insects, insect powders, and mixed into energy bars or chips, making them easy to incorporate into daily diets. Their versatility also extends to different cuisines and cooking methods.
6. Support for Local Economies: In many parts of the world, particularly in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, harvesting insects provides a source of income for local communities. As the global demand for insect-based products grows, this could offer new economic opportunities worldwide.

Other Vending Machine Applications

A biometric vending machine to distribute grains directly to rations recipients has won an award from the WFP Innovation Accelerator as one of the top innovations for helping prevent hunger, India Education Diary reports.

Beneficiaries can use their ration card to claim eligibility using a built-in touchscreen, according to News18.com, and authenticate their identity with biometrics. The GrainATM can reportedly issue 70kg of grains in as little as five minutes with negligible error in measurement.

It has potential use for food-based safety nets, food grain distribution during emergencies, and increasing market access for smallholder farmers.

Ankit Sood, WFP India Head Supply Chain and PDS Unit

The WFP Innovation Accelerator:

It is an initiative by the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) aimed at identifying, nurturing, and scaling up innovative solutions to disrupt hunger and accelerate progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2, which aims to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.

Source

• Biometric Update

Other Vending Machine Applications

The push for campus vending machines to dispense the pregnancy-preventing medication has grown since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

While emergency contraception — which can be used after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy — is available without a prescription, it’s often locked up or must be specifically requested at a pharmacy counter.

Some pharmacies don’t have the medication in stock, and finding a pharmacy that does can require driving miles away — another barrier for students without cars.

While students have led most efforts, they’re now finding additional support from public officials.

About Plan B:

Plan B contains a high dose of levonorgestrel, a synthetic hormone similar to progesterone. This ingredient works primarily by preventing or delaying ovulation, thereby reducing the chances of fertilization. It’s important to note that Plan B is effective only before pregnancy is established and does not terminate an existing pregnancy.

One lesser-known fact is that the effectiveness of Plan B in preventing pregnancy diminishes with time after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. It is most effective when taken within 72 hours (3 days), but it can be taken up to 120 hours (5 days) afterward, though with decreased efficacy beyond the initial 72-hour window.

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The County of San Diego is readying a new tool to help fight the growing number of opioid overdoses in the region.

Naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, is a medication used to reverse overdoses by restoring normal breathing. The drug can prevent overdose deaths if used quickly and followed by medical treatment.

Naloxone is a proven life saver in overdose situations and San Diego County Behavioral Health Services and its partners are working hard to expand access,” said Nicole Esposito, the County’s chief population health officer. “The enhanced distribution of naloxone into the hands of community members is vital in saving lives that might otherwise be lost to overdose.

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The Battle Creek Homless Shelter has a new vending machine, but it doesn’t offer chips, candy or drinks. Instead it provides people 24/7 access to the anti-overdose medication Narcan with ‘no questions asked.”

Free boxes of of the medication that reverses opioid overdoses are dispensed from the machine, marking the latest effort to make it more accessible to the public as the number of overdoses continues to climb locally and across the nation.

We are very excited to have the Narcan vending machine implemented and to have this medication available to everyone at any time. We have been trying to keep up with demand through personal and online trainings, but we felt that the distribution was suffering because the kits were limited to being handed out person-to-person.

Dawn Smith, executive director of the nonprofit Substance Abuse Council

“Now we feel we have a better solution to get Narcan in the hands of the people who can immediately assist someone in need and remove the barrier of accessibility,” she added.

Each box contains two doses of the medication with instructions for how to administer it, as well as gloves, a rescue mask and resource information for treatment.

“There (are) other locations where you can get Narcan kits, but to have it where you can just go and get it with no questions asked, no forms to fill out, no information needed (is great),” Smith said. “You can just get it for whatever reason you need it, whether it’s for a loved one or a friend, whatever it may be … To remove all those barriers so you can access this medication, we’re really proud of that.”

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About Canned cake:

Canned cake represents a unique approach to preserving and preparing desserts, offering convenience and longevity without compromising too much on taste or texture.

Canned cakes can be stored for extended periods, allowing them to serve as a ready-to-eat dessert option in situations where fresh ingredients might not be available or when immediate preparation is needed. This method of packaging cakes became particularly notable with military rations and emergency supplies, providing a sweet treat that could withstand harsh conditions and long storage times.

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Luxury vending machines are popping up where you can even buy an engagement ring from it at US$800 plus sales tax!

There are six machines placed together contain a total of 170 items from button-down shirt from Brooks Brothers, to socks, stain wipes, CBD truffles, even a Vitamin-C shot. Tishman Speyer, which developed The Vend, calls it the answer to life’s emergencies.

On the practical end, there is dry shampoo, root concealer spray, nail polish remover pads, wireless earbuds, sunscreen, notepads, eye drops, and a variety of food, drink, and snacks, including freshly prepared sandwiches.

About Engagement Ring:

The tradition of wearing them on the fourth finger of the left hand stems from an ancient belief shared by many cultures known as the “Vena Amoris” or “Vein of Love.”

This theory posited that a special vein ran directly from this finger to the heart, symbolizing the connection of love. Although we now know that all fingers have similar vein structures and there isn’t a direct line to the heart from any particular finger, the romantic notion has endured through the ages.

The first recorded diamond engagement ring was given by Archduke Maximilian of Austria to Mary of Burgundy in 1477, setting a trend among European nobility. However, it wasn’t until the Victorian era that engagement rings became more popular across broader segments of society.

The De Beers diamond company significantly influenced modern engagement ring customs with its marketing campaigns in the 20th century, most notably the slogan “A Diamond is Forever” in 1947, which helped establish diamonds as the standard stone for engagement rings.

Other Vending Machine Applications

KOBE — Tomato vending machines at a commercial facility and a train station in this west Japan city have become so popular that people apparently line up for the fresh products refilled three times a week.

The “Kobe Sweets Tomato” variety is grown at Rokko Farm in the city’s Kita Ward. The vending machines are set up at Kobe Electric Railway Co.’s Suzurandai Station in Kita Ward and the BB Plaza shopping mall in the city’s Nada Ward.

Behind these popular tomatoes is Nada Ward-based Shimabun Corp., which recycles iron scrap and processes steel stock. The company entered the tomato cultivation business in 2018. By inviting an agricultural consultant from Shimane Prefecture in western Japan, it has made strong efforts to create tomatoes that have a high sugar content.

“We’ve learned to grow sweet tomatoes by trial and error. We want as many people as possible to eat them.”

“We’ve learned to grow sweet tomatoes by trial and error. We want as many people as possible to eat them.”

Masaki Sakata (Shimabun Corp.’s company representative)

Interesting fact about Tomatoes:

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that gives tomatoes their red color and has been linked to reducing the risk of cancer and heart disease. Interestingly, the bioavailability of lycopene increases with cooking, making processed tomato products like sauce and paste potentially more beneficial in this regard than raw tomatoes.

Tomatoes also have a rich history, originating from the Andes region of South America, and were initially cultivated by the Aztecs and Incas. After being introduced to Europe by Spanish explorers in the early 16th century, tomatoes gradually spread across the globe, becoming integral to various cuisines worldwide due to their versatility and flavor-enhancing qualities.

Other Vending Machine Applications