Abstract: A large inventory vending machine with monitoring system comprises a plurality of compartments for storing articles to be dispensed, user activated dispensing apparatus connected to respective ones of the compartments for dispensing individual ones of the articles, circuitry for detecting the number of articles in respective ones of the compartments, and circuitry for communicating the number of articles in respective ones of the compartments to a remote location, whereby inventory status of the vending machine is maintained at the remote location, a blockage detector in the vending machine, a blockage release member moveable to release a blockage of articles, and a power system for operating the blockage release member when a blockage is detected.