Almost everyone can think of a time when they were sitting in a silent classroom, willing their stomach not to grumble. Or maybe you just get so hungry that all you can think about is lunch. But what if it is only first period and
you forgot to bring a snack?

Bringing back vending machines would solve this problem. When students are hungry and need a quick snack, they should not have to wait hours to get one. Without a vending machine, students are often forced to wait hours for nourishment.

Having a vending machine is something that is very common
and feasible for schools. Public and private schools everywhere have them dispersed throughout the buildings. In fact, CESJDS had vending machines up until three years ago. The machines stayed in the cafeteria and was accessible to all students. It was an easy, convenient way to get a snack or drink between classes.

According to High School Principal and Head of Upper School Campus Lisa Vardi, the school was not actually sure who owned the machine and didn’t profit from it, so they got rid of it. In the future, the school could purchase the machine themselves
and could even get a refurbished one for cheaper. While the initial investment in the machine itself is fairly expensive, vending machines are very quick to turn a profit. This is because snacks are very cheap when bought in bulk and the machines put a large upcharge on them, often leading to a higher profit margin overtime.

While the school store does provide snacks, it is only open during lunch and is not as reliable as having a vending machine that
is open at all times. Not only does a vending machine benefit students during the day, it is also helpful after school hours. Students who have to stay at school for sports or clubs are often in need of an afternoon snack. Instead of going across the street, a vending machine would make for a much quicker way to get one.

One concern there may be with bringing back vending machines is that students will use them during class. While this is not preventable, it is also not really an issue at all. If a student is so hungry during class that they need to get up and buy a snack, they should be able to. It is just like going to the bathroom during class: if you need to, you can.

The reality is that there are no real harmful effects of bringing back the vending machines. They are exactly what the student body needs to get through the long day and avoid getting hangry.