LOS ALAMITOS, CA– Within recent weeks, two vending machines within the Los Al campus are now stocked with snacks and drinks as students now have the opportunity to purchase in between classes, during nutrition, and lunch. However, are these vending machines meeting students’ expectations of an easily accessible snack booth or are they failing due to lack of student interest? 

What do the vending machines sell?

In the two vending machines, there are a few rows of snacks and drinks such as Spicy Fritos, Baked Hot Cheetos, and Cheez-Its along with drinks like water and Switch Sparkling Juice in flavors like cherry, fruit punch, watermelon strawberry, and more. The snacks remain typical of what is normally served during lunch to provide more nutrition while meeting health standards. 

However, the amount of snacks and drinks remains barren in a large space that has potential due to the majority of the rows lacking any snacks or drinks.

Los Al’s vending machines remain mostly empty, in which most students can only buy from a limited selection of snacks and drinks. In response to the snacks, some students remain neutral about the snack choices. However many students have reported a disinterest due to the lack of snacks that appeal to the sugar-hungry mind of high schoolers.

“To be honest, all of the snacks there are pretty boring and there’s barely anything in there.” said Los Al student Michelle Brown. “I don’t mind healthy snacks but I wish they had more stuff to choose from. Then, maybe I would buy [from it].”

What is the overall student reaction?

Originally, students were able to purchase various snacks and drinks from the lunch booths that are evenly scattered around the school. However, most students had problems with the concept due to the long lines that made purchasing snacks and drinks incredibly difficult and painstaking.

“I do like the vending machines because it’s so much easier if I want a soda because there’s barely any line and it’s really quick” said Los Al junior Levi Iles. 

It seems that most students were more receptive to snacks such as having more chips and sweets and placed less of an emphasis on health and nutrition and more on sweets.

However, this desire seems difficult as the New York Times revealed that the USDA had enforced a school-wide mandate that booted unhealthy snacks high in sugar out of high schools due to major concerns over students’ health.

The CDC also reported that snacks sold at schools must meet the “Smart Snacks” standard before being distributed for purchase as all snacks must have a certain number of saturated fats, sugar, and calories.

From student reportings, it does seem that the vending machines have been successful as students are now commonly purchasing and surrounding the vending machines.