A prepackaged food vending machine limited cooling apparatus and method for food vending machines of the type used for storing and dispensing prepackaged foods at normal room temperatures. The apparatus includes an elongated air conduit connected at one end thereof to, and in airflow communication with an interior of, the food vending machine. Another end of the air conduit connected to, and in airflow communication with a refrigerated interior of, a cold beverage vending machine. An airflow device, e.g. a blower or axial fan, is positioned in air flow communication between the interiors of the food and beverage vending machines whereby cold air within the beverage vending machine is transferred through the air conduit to the interior of the food vending machine in an airflow volume sufficient to reduce the air temperature within the food vending machine to a predetermined temperature below room temperature toward the operating temperature within the interior of the refrigerated beverage vending machine.