(CHICAGO) February 21, 2018 – On Tuesday, February 20, 2018, leaders from the Maryland/DC Vending Association testified before the Maryland Legislature’s House Economic Matters Committee in support of H.B. 1087, the “Micro Market Licensure Bill.” The Bill would establish a uniform definition and licensing requirements for micro market operators across the state.
Delegate C.T. Wilson, the Bill’s sponsor, provided a brief overview of the legislation, and then introduced Steve Boucher, MD/DC Vending Association President and Regional Director with Canteen/Compass Group, and Craig Kushner, President of Monumental Markets, both of whom offered individual testimony. Boucher provided a detailed explanation about the micro market concept and the importance of having them defined and licensed at the state level, while Kushner discussed how the vending channel expanded into the development of micro markets in response to changes in technology and consumer demand for increased variety of food/beverage products.
Both Boucher and Kushner also spoke of how this legislation is a proactive measure to ensure that Maryland operators can continue to expand their business endeavors in the micro market space.
“Like many industries, ours is rapidly changing and we are being asked to replace vending machines with more innovative offerings via micro markets. Accordingly, our members have run into challenges because these new offerings are currently undefined by Maryland law,” Boucher said. “We testified today to ask for changes that will help our industry to continue to provide value to our customers by defining micro markets and how they are licensed,” he continued.
“I appreciated the opportunity to testify before the Economic Matters Committee on this issue because it was a chance to explain the direct benefit of the legislation from an operator’s perspective,” Kushner said. “I understand challenges that operators could face with installing new micro markets because of the lack of familiarity with the concept. Thus, for the growth of this concept to continue it is essential that the State clearly define what a micro market is. To that end, I again thank Del. Wilson for his leadership on this issue and for supporting our Bill,” he concluded.
To view footage of Boucher and Kushner’s testimony during the Economic Matters hearing, please click HERE and begin viewing at 50-minute point.
The Senate version of the micro market bill is scheduled for discussion during an upcoming committee on March 8, and MD/DC Vending Association leadership will be present to offer testimony.
Founded in 1936, NAMA is the association representing the $25 billion U.S. convenience services industry. With more than 1,000 member companies – including many of the world’s most recognized brands – NAMA provides advocacy, education and research for its membership. Visit NAMA on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
