High School

The new healthy-alternative vending machine appears to be a huge seller for students. (Photo by Jenni Holmer)

SLHS rents new machine for health nuts

By Rachel McCall

September 08, 2005

School is back in session, meaning the end to watching television all day and munching on a big bag of Doritos, washing them down with an ice cold Coke.

Healthier alternatives are now available at Silver Lake High School.

The Silver Lake administration recently installed a new vending machine for the students. The new machine offers a variety of healthy choices. Staff members Mary LaMar, Jamie Manhart, Brad Womack, Judy Hamilton, Nancy Peak, Lori Lewicki, and Kristin Herndon organized a committee last year to investigate the possibility of a new vending machine.

Many students have been making healthy choices by buying out of the new machine. (Photo by Jenni Holmer)

"We felt it was more important for students to have healthy choices. It's okay to have pop and candy, but we wanted a machine with a healthier selection," said LaMar, school librarian.

The machine offers a variety of drinks including chocolate, strawberry, and regular milk, and different kinds of V8 fruit and vegetable beverages.

The food products include turkey sandwiches, hot pockets, Lunchables, sausage and biscuits, and carrots.

The prices of the new items in the machine are more expensive than the other existing vending machines, ranging from $1 for milk to $2 for a Lunchable. The change machine takes nothing less than a quarter.

Despite the high prices, students have already chosen their favorite items.

Stephanie Bryant, senior, replied, "Chocolate milk is my favorite because it helps build strong bones."

Chocolate milk seems to be the most popular item among the student body. (Photo by Jenni Holmer)

"Strawberry milk is my favorite because it tastes good," Jason Mellies, sophomore, said.

The school rented the machine from Lee Schmidt Vending, and Larry Winter, principal, said the company determines the prices the students pay.

"The company is providing the machine, they are stocking it, providing everything for it and we get a percent of the profits. For instance, we get a percentage of intake off the machine," Winter commented.

"When you sell something, you don't want to gauge somebody, but you don't want to lose money, either. So we're kind of in the middle of that with the prices," he added.

LaMar stated that although the new machine is expensive, the committee seems satisfied.

"We're happy with the new machine. It's a little pricey. We are hoping with time that the students can choose the items they want in the machine or just different items will be offered like yogurt, and that hopefully the prices will lower," said LaMar.