Abstract: Vending apparatus for dispensing discrete articles stacked one above the other such as a stack of pre-filled cups with dry ingredients for mixing with water to make a beverage. The apparatus includes stationary support rings for supporting a plurality of stacks of articles arranged about a vertical axis. An actuating device is adapted to select an article from a particular stack, and for releasing the lowermost article of the selected stack into a carrier. An indexing drive moves the carrier, if necessary, between a discharge station and a position beneath each stack and then returns the carrier to the discharge station, with the selected article being held in the carrier at least until the carrier reaches the discharge station.