The Pros & Cons of Middle School Vending Machines
Some schools debate whether or not vending machines should be allowed in the school. Some health experts and parents argue that these machines encourage children to eat unhealthy foods, while others argue that the convenience is worth it. A school must carefully weigh the pros and cons of offering these machines to their students.
Other People Are Reading
-
Income
-
One of the reasons that middle schools consider using vending machines is to create a steady flow of income in addition to the funding or tuition received. If the school purchases its own vending machines, all the proceeds from the sales will become income for the school. However, if the school chooses to rent space to a vending company, the income will come from the rent paid. Either way, the income that is generated can be used for programs within the school that may otherwise have been cut due to lack of funds.
Convenience
-
The convenience of having these snacks and drinks available to students at times when the cafeteria would otherwise be closed is a consideration for some schools. Students who are in after-school activities will be able to purchase snacks or drinks if needed. The school can control the access to these machines to keep students from making unhealthy choices during scheduled meal times. If these machines are not available to middle school students, some of them may leave the school campus to buy these items instead.
-
Unhealthy Choices
-
One of the biggest complaints about vending machines in schools is the unhealthy snack options that are typically found in them. These machines often offer candy, soda and other sugary drinks. Schools can include healthier options in the machines instead; however, middle school students typically prefer the "junk" food. When given the choice, many of these students will choose the less healthy options. If the school chooses to switch their vending machines to contain only healthy options, the students may not buy as much, thereby potentially causing the machines to cost more than the income they generate. Some schools that include healthier options lower the price on the healthier food to encourage the students to buy them. However, this affects the overall income from the machine.
Childhood Obesity
-
The rate of childhood obesity is on the rise and poor eating habits are a big part of the problem. Vending machines, especially those filled with unhealthy options, encourage middle school children to eat these unhealthy foods, thereby increasing their fat intake and adding unnecessary calories. The food pyramid indicates that everyone should limit their intake of sugary, fatty and oily food. However, most of the items that fill vending machines fall into these categories. When these vending machines are made easily accessible to middle school students, their intake increases, contributing to childhood obesity and unhealthy eating habits.
-
