Is it a good idea to install vending machines in schools? Read this guide to find out!
When it comes to installing vending machines in schools, you’ll almost always find people who agree and disagree with this.
There are both pros and cons to installing Vending machines in schools.
In short, it’s perfectly fine to include vending machines in schools, as long as these machines contain healthy snacking choices.
This guide will explore the advantages and disadvantages of installing vending machines in schools.
RELATED READ: 7 Reasons Why Should Vending Machines Be Allowed in Schools
Contents
Pros of Installing Vending Machines in Schools
There are numerous perks of installing vending machines with healthy snacks in schools, which include:
1. Encourage Healthy Diets
Using vending machines that sell healthy foods in schools encourages students to eat healthy snacks, keeping their weight and health in check.
In the past, pretty much all vending machines exclusively contained unhealthy snack and drink options. But that has changed drastically, particularly in schools. They also present a good opportunity to teach kids about the benefits of adopting a healthy diet.
Some healthy foods and beverages that vending machines offer in schools include cereals, oatmeal, yogurt, fruits, and low-sugar juices.
In addition, vending machines offer various options for students with restrictive dietary requirements, like those who are lactose intolerant or have allergies to certain ingredients.
What’s more, healthy snacks enable students to concentrate more during their school day, boosting their performance and grades.
2. Easy Access
Accessibility is one of the top-selling points of vending machines. With vending machines installed in school corridors, restaurants, staff rooms, and playgrounds, students and teachers don’t have to get out of the school to grab a healthy snack.
Not to mention, students can even buy foods to take them home or put in their bags if they have something to do after school.
This can also save a lot of time and give easier access to more healthier snacks and drinks.
3. Provide a Snacking Option for Teachers and Staff Members
Another benefit of using vending machines in schools is to give teachers and staff members snacking options.
Many school staff members have to take lunch boxes with them every day, and even then, the goods might not be enough for them to get through the day.
Not to mention, it’s challenging for teachers to have access to hot beverages like coffee and tea. But with vending machines that offer these drinks, teachers are able to concentrate at work without wasting time looking for them.
4. Make Parents’ Lives Easier
Parents, especially the super busy ones, may not always have the time to prepare healthy meals and snacks for their children.
But when there are vending machines at school that offer healthy food choices, parents can skip a few days without preparing meals for their children and not feel guilty about it.
This can save the hassle if the parent’s are busy and some days, it can help lift the trouble of packing meals daily.
Cons of Using Vending Machines in Schools
Despite having lots of perks, using vending machines in schools has its downsides, which include:
1. Profit Making
One of the biggest concerns of installing vending machines in schools is the motive. A vending machine is run by a business whose goal is 100% to make a profit. This raises many ethical concerns, considering that kids aren’t supposed to be the source of money for any business.
This becomes even more of a concern if the vending machine’s snack choices are far from being healthy. Kids will just get addicted to snacks filled with sugar and saturated fats, which will ultimately affect their health and wellbeing.
That’s why the installment and use of vending machines in schools must be regulated.
2. Health Concerns
Kids are more likely to become addicted to unhealthy foods than adults, leading to unexpected health issues. Even if students eat healthy snacks, there’s still a concern when it comes to caloric consumption.
Students may consume more than half of their daily recommended calorie intake when they’re at school. Hanging out with their friends and attending school events may encourage overeating, leaving little room for the big meals at home.
Parents are always trying to keep their kids’ diets in check, but when they’re not home, they have little control over that.
Items like sodas, chocolates, candies, and sweetened beverages can pose a health risk to kids, especially when consumed in large quantities.
However, vending machines aren’t necessarily a direct cause of unhealthy habits. Students may just find unhealthy snacks elsewhere. However, the ease of access to vending machines may lead to overeating.
3. Inability to Recognize Healthy Snacks
Students, especially the younger ones, may not be able to distinguish healthy snacks from unhealthy ones.
Even if a snack is labeled as “healthy” or “fitness,” it may not always be as healthy as the kid would think.
Many snacks that are marketed as being a healthy alternative actually contain high amounts of sugar and saturated fats.
Students must be able to research each snack’s nutritional values and compare them to their daily limits based on their recommended calorie intake.
Not to mention, kids will naturally choose snacks that taste better, regardless if they’re healthy or not.
Final Thoughts
That was a quick look at the advantages and disadvantages of using vending machines in schools.
While it’s OK to use vending machines that offer healthy snacks, the school’s management should keep track of the students’ consumption and the quality of the items in the vending machines.
There are many reasons why vending machines in school can be both beneficial and harmful at the same time. It is up to the concerned authorities to assess and make the right calls as to which ways to go down.
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