Popcorn Vending Machine

Smartfood Popcorn is a white cheddar cheese-flavored popcorn offered by the Frito-Lay company.

History

Smartfood, first created in 1985 by Andrew Martin, Ken Meyers, Martin's wife Ann Withey was intended to fill recloseable packages that Martin and his business partner, Ken Meyers, were trying to market. Meyers was quoted in the New York Times as saying that "he popcorn turned out better than the package." Smartfood was first marketed under the registered brand name in 1985, and was manufactured in Marlborough, Massachusetts.

According to Meyers: "Unlike the cheese popcorn already on the market, ours was made with real cheese and it didn't glow in the dark. We wanted quality and we were up against the negative consumer image, because prepopped popcorn in a bag was considered garbage, not worth the money because it's not fresh and you can make it better and cheaper at home."

In January 1989, the company was sold to Texas-based Frito-Lay for an undisclosed amount, but reportedly the amount was 14.5 million dollars. According to trademark filings in 2004, the company intends to expand the brand to cover a broad line of snacks made with potato, soy, nuts, puffed cheese, and a variety of grains (wheat, oats, rice, corn). However, this brand expansion is being opposed by Kellogg Company, makers of Smart Start breakfast cereals.

Ann Withey and Martin later formed Annie's Homegrown, which markets macaroni and cheese, pasta, and other organic products.

The original Idea of Cheesy Popcorn came from Mr Lowrie in 1900's. His great grandson ‘Alistair Lowrie’ reinvented the idea in 1990's with a new modern taste.