Vending machines help students get through the long day, so they must stay. It takes too long to stand in the cafeteria line during our short lunch periods, and grabbing something from a vending machine is quicker. We need vending machines for after-school events like sports practices, too. Without them we would starve! Coach Mathis agrees. “Many of our sports activities are funded by vending machine profits.” We students want vending machines to stay. They fill a gap in our need for nutrition during the day.

Schools depend on profits from vending machines, but poor food quality is a health problem. Students cannot learn properly with only junk food in their systems. The School Board, therefore, demands more nutritious foods in vending machines rather than removing the machines.

Superintendent Kacy Miles states, “Student success depends on good health.” We don’t want students relying on high-fat snacks and sugary beverages. We’ll require more drinks and snacks like milk, vegetable juices, water, fruits, salads, yogurt, and granola bars. If necessary, we’ll insist on newer models of vending machines to handle these foods. Students can still use vending machines but will have healthier choices. “We know our responsible students will appreciate and grow to love the new vending machines,” Miles states. “They won’t even miss the junk food.”