What Is All The Fuss About With Vending Machines In Schools?
When I was in school we had a couple of vending machines we could access throughout the day. It was nice to have a soda and some peanut M&M’s while we sat in the commons area doing homework after school. No one really made a big deal about it then. Of course we went outside and played until dark most days so we got plenty of exercise. Too many children today sit in front of the TV, video games, or the computer instead. As a result, they are overweight and that is a concern.
In various polls among junior high and high school students, 75% of students admitted to using lunch money or spending cash that their parents give them in vending machines at school. Most parents don’t ask their children what they ate for lunch, they just assume that they are eating what the school is offering.
As a result, many parents of overweight children are blaming the schools for the problems. They claim they feed their child nutritious meals at home and provide them with money to eat at school. These parents are advocating for schools to remove vending machines altogether to eliminate the temptation and the development of bad eating habits.
In order to curb the number of students that spend their lunch money in the vending machines, many schools have chosen to turn them off during this time of the day. In the schools that don’t though you can often see many students enjoying a soda and a bag of chips for lunch instead of a hot meal. Still, older students can drive to area fast food locations or convenient stores so there is no stopping them.
If you are dealing with a school that doesn’t have too many issues going on, you may have a prime location for a vending machine. Since many children don’t have time for breakfast in the morning or it is a long stretch for them from lunch to the end of the day, vending machines offer them a solution.
To meet the requirements of the school though you may have to agree to stock the vending machine with approved items. They many want to steer clear of unhealthy choices so that students will be encouraged to make a better selection. This means you will want to offer water and juice instead of soda. Think of healthy snacks that offer kids energy instead of sugar.
You just might find offering healthy foods and drinks in your school vending machines increases your sales. Many staff members may start making purchases from them as well. Most adults try to refrain from sugary drinks and snacks on a regular basis so they may really like that you offer them some healthy alternatives.
Make a plan of attack so you are ready for this argument from administration. If they know you are on board with a plan of the healthy items you will offer in vending machines then you may have a chance of placing your machines there. This can end up being very profitable for you. Even though school is only in session for nine months, staff and summer schools students will be there in the summer months.
About the Author:
Robert Farnham has 2 interesting vending business sites- checkout his How To Start A Vending Machine Business site and his Finding Vending Machine Locations website.
