Automation & Self-Service Podcast

Automated access: Anora Morton, JD on self-service, community impact

Join Anora Morton, JD, and Vending Times editor Sandra Carpenter as we discuss how automation is delivering accessible solutions and community impact.

Photo: Networld Media Group

June 19, 2025

On the latest episode of The Automation and Self Service Podcast, I had a fascinating conversation with Anora Morton, JD, about topics that resonate strongly with groundbreaking initiatives like The Nori Project. It recently launched its innovative Japanese-style vending machines in Louisville, Kentucky. These aren't just typical vending units; they're designed to offer hot and cold, chef-crafted meals, significantly improving access to healthy and affordable food, especially in underserved areas.

Morton provided insightful perspectives on how automated services are evolving to not only enhance convenience but also to create substantial community impact. This aligns perfectly with The Nori Project's mission to address food deserts in West Louisville. Our discussion explored everything from the practical efficiency of these machines, providing delicious meals in under a minute for less than $15, to the broader implications of such technology for future expansion beyond local communities.

If you're interested in how technology is driving positive change and reshaping access to essential services, then this conversation with Morton is a must-listen. We chat about the future of self-service and automation, examining how forward-thinking ventures like The Nori Project are making a tangible difference. It's an engaging episode that highlights the powerful intersection of innovation and community well-being.

Click the link above to listen to the podcast in its entirety, and don't forget to subscribe to the Networld Media Group podcast channel for more great self-service conversations.