This 1950 model Fruit-o-matic fresh fruit-dispensing machine was touted as “A fully automatic fresh fruit merchandiser”. Made by the Fruit-o-matic Manufacturing Company, this machine dispensed chilled, fresh fruit. A coin was dropped in the slot corresponding with the row of fruit displayed in the window above the slot, and the fruit automatically dropped into the dispensing chute for it to be retrieved.
Features listed for the Fruit-o-matic are:
Hermetically sealed noiseless refrigeration unit
Standard coin mechanism with a slug rejector
Fluorescent light on front panel
Baked enamel finish
And in addition, the Fruit-o-matic incorporated “all the features that make Fruit-o-matic the ideal fresh fruit merchandiser for new fields, diversification and year ‘round profits.” The ad that appears here includes two testimonials regarding the popularity and dependability of these machines. One review is from the Executive Secretary of the YMCA of Hollywood, CA and the other is from the UCLA store manager. The photos here show the Fruit-o-matic being used in schools, at the Y and at bowling alleys. There is also an ad from a vending machine trade publication informing those who will attend a trade show to be on the lookout for the Fruit-o-matic in room 730!
A video of Jane Mansfield using the Fruit-o-matic can be viewed at YouTube:
Manufactured by:
Fruit-o-matic Manufacturing Company
5225 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA
Have you, or anyone you know ever used a Fruit-o-matic? Email us and let us know. We here at Vintage Vending have seen many vending machines over the years, but have never run across one of these.
22 responses so far ↓
1 Martha Burr // Feb 26, 2009 at 3:53 pm
I have a deep Proustian memory of this machine when I was growing up in my Middle School in New Paltz, NY. Every day I’d drop a dime into the machine and get an ice cold, deep red Red Delicious apple out of it. It was my daily snack that was my daily re-boot. What I wouldn’t give to have one at my six-year old son’s elementary school in LA today!
2 fruitomaticfan // Mar 14, 2009 at 10:45 pm
They had one at my middle school in Los Angeles in the late 1970’s. I would get mostly apples, golden delicious–or oranges. They cost 10 cents!
3 LB_FruitOMaticFan // Jul 10, 2009 at 12:42 pm
My high school (Millikan in Long Beach, CA) had one in the late 1980s. I always enjoyed the chilled and crispy apples from the machine!
4 dan // Aug 24, 2009 at 10:38 am
What ever happened to them? Seems like such a great concept. Especially with all the healthy eating trends now.
5 Ellen Mykins // Oct 29, 2009 at 3:37 pm
We had one in the cafeteria at St Agnes High School (Rochester NY) in the late 70’s! I loved it…my favorite snack!
6 John // Feb 4, 2010 at 10:16 pm
My high school in Salem, Oregon had a fruit-o-matic in the main foyer across from the office and next to the auditorium entrance. Cold crisp red delicious apples were sold out daily for 25 cents each. I bought apples once or twice every day. I would love to see these things in our schools today. I know my grandkids would love them.
7 paul // Feb 20, 2010 at 4:39 pm
I have a Fruit-O-Matic.
8 Mark Virden // Mar 23, 2010 at 8:22 am
My dad had one of the largest Fruit-O-Matic vending routes in the country in Kansas City. At one time, he had over 200 machines. I still have one that works and is in excellent condition, including the original working air conditioning unit. He was called “the fruit man” and had many friends in many schools througout the area.
9 Chris Haley // Jun 29, 2010 at 4:40 pm
I had a Fruit-O-Matic at my highschool, Uni (University) Highschool in Los Angeles (1991)
I believe it was 75cents and was the best, coldest and juceist fruit ever.
10 Darrell // Sep 18, 2010 at 5:34 pm
I have one, just wondering what it would sell for. It weighs as much as 2 refridgerators. I am moving soon and do NOT what to move it.
11 Julie Barone // Oct 8, 2010 at 5:21 pm
We had the exact same vending machine just outside my second grade classroom at #13 school in Rochester, NY. The fruit was 10 cents each. There should one(or several) in all schools!!
12 Abraham Hoellrich // Oct 24, 2010 at 9:47 pm
We had one of these in my high school in Versailles, OH. Sadly, it was removed around 1990. I think I bought and ate my first fresh pear from it.
13 Greg // Jan 27, 2011 at 7:19 pm
Hey Darrell, have you sold yours yet?
14 Mark Virden // Feb 3, 2011 at 4:03 pm
I have one in great working order with the refrigeration unit. I would sell if if anyone is interested. In Kansas City
15 sonya powell // May 31, 2011 at 12:57 pm
I would love to buy a Fruit-o-matic in any condition. Please contact me if you have one or know of one. Thanks!!
16 Mark Virden // Jul 20, 2011 at 2:09 pm
Sonya, I would sell you ours. It is in Kansas City area in a garage. Email is mvirden@virdenassociates.com.
17 Seymour // Jul 21, 2011 at 1:57 pm
Rutgers University’s Cook Agricultural College stocked several Fruit-O-Matics on the Cook / Douglass college campuses into the 1980’s.
18 Darrell // Sep 21, 2011 at 4:10 pm
I have one in my dining room that I need to get rid of. It works! Weighs about 500 pounds and broke my tile getting it in the house. A conversation piece for sure, but I need to redo my floors, and it is just to heavy to move around.
19 David // Oct 16, 2011 at 6:17 pm
Hi Darrell,
Have you sold your Fruit-o-Matic yet? Where are you and how much $ will you sell it for?
Best regards,
David (M.A.C.Animal)
20 laura // Oct 22, 2011 at 12:20 am
We have a fruit o matic in a old school i manage. I would like to get rid of it?
21 Tom // Jan 26, 2012 at 3:20 pm
Laura Where are you located?Do you still have the machine?
22 Tom // Jan 26, 2012 at 3:23 pm
I have a vending Mech. and The Glass door for the Fruit-o-Matic if anyone needs,
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