CHICAGO—Marriott Hotels, the flagship brand of Marriott International, Inc., has launched its first traveler-inspired innovation—a healthy vending machine, featuring handcrafted salads, sandwiches and snacks made fresh everyday using local ingredients.
The working prototype debuts in the lobby of the Chicago Marriott O’Hare, offering travelers healthy food options available all day and night during their journey. The innovation was inspired by Anjana Kallarackal, a 21-year old college student, who answered the call to join Marriott Hotels in co-creating the future of travel as part of its Travel Brilliantly campaign.
In looking to bring Anjana’s idea to life, Marriott Hotels reached out to Chicago start-up Farmer’s Fridge, which has taken an innovative approach to making healthy, delicious food easier to access, according to Marriott International.
The company’s kiosk, one of 12 in Chicago area, will be located in the Chicago Marriott O’Hare for the next five months for testing with guests. Items curated and prepared daily by Farmer’s Fridge will be offered for sale in distinctive packaging, ranging in price from $3 to $12 dollars and include:
- The Detox Salad (also known as the Junk Food Eraser) made with organic Kale and Quinoa with fennel, fruits and beans served in white balsamic vinaigrette.
- Greek Yogurt and Berries (also known as Breakfast of the Gods) made with low-fat Greek Yogurt, berries and locally sourced honey.
- Lemon Pepper Chicken made with chicken breast from chickens that have been humanely raised without antibiotics, lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, salt, pepper.
In less than a year, nearly 2,500 ideas have been submitted to TravelBrilliantly.com. This month, the brand is asking consumers for their best ideas in taking loyalty programs to next level. In October, the brand wants ideas for how it can support guests as they try to stay healthy and balanced on the road and in November, the brand will solicit ideas for its Greatroom lobbies.
In addition to guests, Marriott Hotels is also co-creating with unexpected partners like the MIT Mobile Experience Lab. Marriott and MIT students—future travelers—co-created Six Degrees to reinvent the hotel lobby as a social hub, using a mobile app to connect people with similar backgrounds and interests. The idea is now in development in Marriott’s innovation pipeline.