The vending machine’s bad reputation for having unhealthy food is being distorted, becoming a benefit to its consumers. In many schools, like the school I attend, the reputation is maintained with assortments of chips, candy and soda. All unhealthy choices influence obesity, not only for students but the staff who work there too.  The New York Times reported that the amount of obese children has tripled in the last thirty years, leaving one in five children suffering from being overweight. Companies throughout the United States are working hard to end obesity by turning vending machines into a holy grail for consumers searching for healthy choices. Not all vending machines have an unfortunate reputation, and many machines can be a benefit to schools. They can help with a wide variety of funds within a school, promote healthy eating and positive decisions, and should be available to students packed with various foods throughout the school day.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, yet countless students, including myself, can’t find the time to have a proper meal before engaging in education. There are seven hours in a school day, but only one hour for the students to eat.  WebMD supports the thought that breakfast is necessary by stating, “Studies have found that eating breakfast may improve short-term memory and attention. Students who eat it tend to perform better than those who don’t.” Getting to school earlier than usual to eat the school’s breakfast isn’t always an option either. Students need to have different resources. Quick and healthy snacks throughout the day can help stimulate the brain, focusing learners on the material and not their rumbling stomachs. Healthy vending machines have the ability to curb hunger in a positive way, putting an end to inefficient students in the classroom.

H.U.M.A.N. vending machines have reached forty different states, and their reach continues to expand. Helping Unite Mankind and Nutrition (H.U.M.A.N) is a company that was formed to improve the lives of others by offering healthy foods within the unhealthy world of vending. If all machines carried products similar to the ones available in H.U.M.A.N, the world would be a healthier place. Habits that tend to stick are formed at young ages; introducing positive vending in schools opens up doors for students to make healthy decisions throughout their lifetime.  Healthy4U is another company that defeats the odds of commercial vending. On the company’s website, machines are available to sign up and become a part of the franchise where placement in schools is recommended. There is virtually no evidence opposed to having nutritious foods available in vending machines. Schools should jump on the new band wagon and convert to a healthier lifestyle for the students and faculty. On top of making a better decision with this type of sale, schools benefit from the income the machines receive.

New sports equipment, the drama program, clubs or extra incentives can accumulate from the income of healthy vending machines. (5) A news station entitled WGEM  reported that a local school in their area was gaining profit from the machines and using the money to upgrade and help fund activities. The source declared that an improvement to the junior high athletic field was made possible from vending machine revenue, along with gift cards that were purchased to give to students with good behavior and attendance. Schools can’t function without money. Why not have another helpful source of income that has perks for its users? When students were asked what they thought about having healthy machines available during the school day, none objected.

Schools need to accommodate students’ needs and their wants. It has been proven that vending machines are beginning to break away from their bad reputations and are offering substantial positive outcomes for schools. Healthy habits need to start and productive students need their necessary resources. Vending machines are not only offering healthy foods, but money to go towards educational funds throughout the school.