Technology

Farmer’s Fridge capitalizes on infrastructure law to scale airport presence

Photo: Farmer's Fridge

January 5, 2026

The final $1 billion installment of the Biden-Harris administration's Airport Terminal Program is hitting U.S. airports this year, creating a significant window of opportunity for fast casual brands like Farmer's Fridge to expand their footprints in airports.

The program, established under the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, provides competitive grants to modernize aging airport terminals. For brands like Chicago-based Farmer's Fridge, which specializes in fresh-vended meals, the federal push for "multimodal connections" and "enhanced passenger experiences" has aligned with its rapid expansion into more than 20 major U.S. airports.

"Farmer's Fridge strives to make fresh, healthy food as accessible as a candy bar," Luke Saunders, founder and CEO of Farmer's Fridge, said during a recent press briefing at Reagan National Airport. Standing alongside Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Saunders highlighted fresh-food kiosks as the preferred model for the future of airport dining.

As airports use federal funds to reconfigure security checkpoints and expand concourses, the minimal 12-square-foot footprint of a Farmer's Fridge unit allows airports to offer 24/7 healthy dining in areas where traditional concessions are difficult to install.

The 2026 grant cycle marks the final year of the $5 billion program, which has funded upgrades at nearly 100 airports across 47 states. These upgrades often include the very "grab-and-go" infrastructure that has allowed Farmer's Fridge to move beyond vending into select in-flight partnerships and gate-side retail.

Farmer's Fridge has deployed over 2,000 machines in airports, health care facilities and other non-traditional spaces.

FAQs: Airport Terminal Program

What is the Airport Terminal Program? The ATP is a competitive grant program created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. It provides $5 billion over five years to modernize airport terminals, replace air traffic control towers and improve airport accessibility.

How does Farmer's Fridge operate in airports? Farmer's Fridge uses smart-tech refrigerated vending units to offer fresh salads, grain bowls and snacks 24/7. The units are often placed in high-traffic areas like baggage claims and near gates where traditional restaurants may be closed or unavailable.

Which airports currently have Farmer's Fridge locations? As of 2026, the brand has a presence in major hubs including Chicago O'Hare, New York, Los Angeles, Dallas/Fort Worth, Atlanta and Washington-Dulles.

Was this program part of the Biden-Harris administration? Yes, the program was a centerpiece of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed by President Biden in 2021.

Is Farmer's Fridge considered a fast casual brand? Yes, within the industry, Farmer's Fridge is recognized as an innovator in the automated fast-casual segment, providing fresh-made, chef-curated meals in a convenient, limited-service format.