Self-serving rack

A dispensing shelf for storing, presenting and dispensing a food product to a user, wherein the dispensing shelf comprises:

• a rack configured as a frame, the rack defining a storage and retrieval space for storing, visibly displaying, and allowing the retrieving of the food product, the rack including:
• a front side,
• a back side oriented away from the front side, wherein the storage and retrieval space is located between the front side and the back side, and
• a right side and a left side, each side extending from the front side to the back side alongside the storage and retrieval space;
• and
• a storage front plate comprising an upper storage front plate element and a lower storage front plate element, wherein each of the upper storage front plate element and a lower storage front plate element include an edge portion, the edge portions defining a retrieval opening, the storage front plate installed on the front side of the rack, the edge portions enveloping the retrieval opening and providing for the user reaching a hand or tool through the retrieval opening without movement of the storage front plate.

A kit for assembling a dispensing shelf for storing, presenting and dispensing to a user a food product, wherein the kit provides for assembly of the dispensing shelf to accommodate hygiene regulations with different levels of strictness, the kit comprising:

• a rack configured as a frame, the rack defining a storage and retrieval space for storing, visibly displaying, and allowing the retrieving of the food product, the rack including:
• a front side,
• a back side oriented away from the front side, and
• a right side and a left side, each side extending from the front side to the back side of the storage space;
• and
• first and second storage front plates, the first storage front plate defining a first retrieval opening and the second storage front plate defining a second retrieval opening, wherein the first retrieval opening and the second retrieval opening are different sizes, wherein the first retrieval opening is defined by a first edge portion of the first storage front plate, the first edge portion enveloping the first retrieval opening, and wherein the second retrieval opening is defined by a second edge portion of the second storage front plate, the second edge portion enveloping the second retrieval opening, and
• further wherein each storage front plate is configured to be installed on the front side of the rack, and
• further wherein the kit allows for installation of the first front plate to accommodate a first level of hygiene strictness for which the first plate opening is appropriate, and the kit allows for installation of the second front plate to accommodate a second level of hygiene strictness for which the second plate opening is appropriate, and
• further wherein, when the first storage plate is installed, the first retrieval opening provides for the user reaching through the first retrieval opening without movement of the first storage front plate and, when the second storage plate is installed, the second retrieval opening provides for the user reaching through the second retrieval opening without movement of the second storage front plate.