15 Vending Machine Snacks from the ’70s and ’80s That Are Gone
Many vending machine snacks from the 1970s and 1980s have disappeared, primarily due to shifting tastes, health regulations, and company closures.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
Snacks once found in vending machines during the 1970s and 1980s are no longer available today. Some were discontinued due to low sales, while others were pulled because of health concerns or new food laws. These snacks reflect a different time in food trends and consumer habits.
1. Planters Cheez Balls
Willis Lam on Wikimedia Commons
Bright orange cheese-flavored balls were sold in blue canisters. They were popular in vending machines throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Then, they were discontinued in the early 2000s but were briefly reintroduced later with a revised recipe.
2. Hostess Pudding Pies
Ginny on Wikimedia Commons
Small, shelf-stable pudding-filled pies were coated in chocolate. They were sold in vending machines during the mid-1980s but were discontinued after a short run due to storage challenges.
3. Fruit Stripe Gum
Evan-Amos on Wikimedia Commons
This chewing gum had colorful stripes and temporary tattoos on the wrapper. It was a vending machine favorite in the 1980s and 1990s but was discontinued in recent years due to declining sales.
4. Dentyne Cinnamon Gum
SMU Central University Libraries on Wikimedia Commons
This strong cinnamon-flavored gum was popular in vending machines during the ’80s. It was reformulated in the 2000s, but the original flavor no longer exists.
5. Doritos Sour Cream & Onion
theimpulsivebuy on Wikimedia Commons
The early flavor of Doritos was sold in vending machines in the late ’70s and early ’80s. It was pulled due to lower popularity compared to other flavors. It is not currently produced.
6. Nabisco Swiss Cheese Crackers
Dwight Burdette on Wikimedia Commons
These were small, baked crackers shaped like Swiss cheese slices. Their sharp, cheesy flavor was a unique snack choice in vending machines. They were available in vending machines in the ’80s but were discontinued by the ’90s.
7. Fruit Newtons (Apple and Raspberry Flavors)
Pamri on Wikimedia Commons
Newton cookies had apple or raspberry filling sold in vending machines. They provided a fruitier alternative before fig flavor became the brand’s focus. They were phased out as fig flavor became the dominant one.
8. Nabisco Tid-Bits
Fumikas Sagisavas on Wikimedia Commons
These were tiny round crackers similar to mini saltines. They were a convenient snack for vending machines and paired well with soup or cheese. Sold in vending machines as a snack option in the ’70s and ’80s, they were discontinued without a replacement.
9. Wise Onion Rings
Famartin on Wikimedia Commons
Crunchy, ring-shaped onion-flavored chips were sold in vending machines in the ’80s and ’90s. Their strong onion taste made them a favorite for savory snack lovers. They were eventually removed from the product line.
10. Hostess HoHos (Original Recipe)
Larry D. Moore on Wikimedia Commons
Chocolate cake rolls filled with cream were sold in vending machines. The original recipe had a distinct taste and texture compared to current versions. The original recipe is no longer used after reformulation.
11. Sun-Dried Tomato Chips (Limited Release)
Biswarup Ganguly on Wikimedia Commons
These chips appeared briefly in some vending machines during the ’80s, reflecting early specialty chip trends. Their unique flavor was a risk at a time when most chips were simple salted or cheese-flavored. They were discontinued due to limited appeal.
12. Chex Mix (Original Small Bags)
Evan-Amos on Wikimedia Commons
Individual snack-size bags of Chex Mix were sold in vending machines. The original bags contained a simple mix of cereal, nuts, and pretzels. The bags and flavors have changed over time; the original versions are no longer available.
13. Kool-Aid Bursts (Freeze Pops)
MissouriStateArchives on Wikimedia Commons
Frozen drink pops sold in vending machines were popular in the ’80s. They provided a cold, sweet treat, especially enjoyed during warmer months. They were discontinued due to changes in vending machine technology.
14. Marathon Bar
Jacek Halicki on Wikimedia Commons
This was a long, braided chocolate and caramel bar sold by Mars. It was about eight inches long and came in bright red packaging with a ruler printed on it. It was very chewy and took a long time to eat. It was discontinued in the early 1980s due to slow sales.
15. Keebler Sandwich Crackers
Evan-Amos on Wikimedia Commons
These were small packaged crackers with peanut butter or cheese filling. They were a common vending machine snack, offering a quick and filling option. They were sold in vending machines in the ’70s and ’80s, but are now discontinued or rebranded.