Ice vending machine and related methods

An ice vending machine comprising:

• a cabinet comprising a frame, the frame slidably coupled within the cabinet;
• an ice maker coupled to the frame;
• an ice storage section coupled to the frame and below the ice maker, the ice storage section comprising one or more agitators;
• an ice feed auger coupled below the ice storage section;
• a bagging system coupled to the frame, the bagging system comprising a blower and a heat sealer;
• a retrieval section coupled to the frame and below the bagging system;
• an interactive panel coupled to an outer surface of the cabinet;
• and
• a controller coupled to the frame;
• wherein the interactive panel is configured to receive a purchase request from a customer for a bag of ice and in response to the purchase request, transmit a purchase signal to the controller;
• wherein the controller, in response to the purchase signal, is configured to activate the blower to open a bag, activate the ice feed auger to fill the bag with ice, and activate the heat sealer to seal the bag;
• and
• wherein the bag of ice is filled and dispensed on demand.