The Vend Marketing Institute, a nationwide coalition of independent operators in different geographic regions who worked together on marketing and purchasing has wound down its activities following its merger last year with the Unified Strategies Group (USG) buying cooperative, according to Chris Stave, VMI’s executive director who now serves as a USG vice president.
Stave said the VMI’s proprietary marketing programs, including private label coffee and healthy food initiatives, will be managed by Food Express in Greensboro, N.C. He said Food Express will manage the programs on behalf of any former VMI members who wish to continue them.
