CTA committee moves FarmerBox vending-machine license forward after equity questions

CTA staff on Dec. 10 presented an ordinance authorizing a license agreement with FarmerBox LLC to install, operate and maintain specialty automated vending machines at designated rail stations.

Staff described three concepts: CVS-branded PharmaBox machines selling over-the-counter pharmacy and hygiene products, FanStand machines selling collectible trading cards, and LuckyBox “mystery” machines. The initial pilot would place five machines across CTA property (one CVS-branded FarmerBox machine added at 95th Station, staff said, and a LuckyBox concept moved to a downtown Red Line location). The proposed contract term is three years with two one-year options, and FarmerBox will pay CTA a percentage of sales (12% for CVS-branded and FanStand machines, 8% for LuckyBox) plus a flat monthly fee that escalates annually to offset electricity costs.

Board members sought clarity on vendor responsibility for vandalism and whether pricing for pharmacy products would match retail stores. Staff said the vendor would be responsible for vandalism and that retail pricing on the machines would be consistent with the vendor’s retail or online store pricing. Director Raquel urged that placement decisions consider equity — locating pharmacy-product machines in communities that have lost pharmacy services — and asked staff to proactively socialise equity expectations to vendors in future procurements.

The Finance, Audit and Budget Committee voted to place the vending-machine ordinance on the omnibus for board approval.

What’s next: the ordinance will appear with other omnibus items for final board action; staff said it could expand locations if the pilot is successful.