Vending machines can be convenient to any student wanting a snack or drink during school hours, but if that’s the case, then why are the vending machines here at DHS not accessible to students during school hours?
Many students complain that instead of school lunch, they want a snack or drink from the vending machine. Students like that the vending machines have much more snack options than the cafeteria, but they are not the most healthy options. The vending machines offer different types of candy, chips, and drinks, which is not that different from the options given in the cafeteria at lunchtime while the vending machines are shut down. But why do students prefer the snacks in the vending machines?
“I just like the different varieties that the vending machines offer. I don’t like how they are shut down during school hours because they have my favorite snacks,” said freshman Paola Solis-Martinez.
Everything in the cafeteria has regulations set by the United States Department of Agriculture on what foods are allowed in school. There are laws on what can be provided to students at schools. Therefore, legally schools cannot have vending machines accessible to students except for before and after school.
Students like the fact that they can buy any snack they want and whenever they want it. This can be very convenient to students because after both lunches, the cafeteria locks up for the day and students are left with a locked vending machine.
“They are not open during school hours because we want you to spend your money in the cafeteria and not at the vending machines. Schools aren’t supposed to have vending machines at all,” said kitchen manager Sarah McMillian.
When President Obama was in office, Michelle Obama was very involved in things that supported kids having healthy foods at school, which led her to develop the Healthy Hunger- Free Kids Act. This act changed the nutrition standards and required that schools serve more fruits and vegetables and eliminate foods with high sodium and trans fat.
