Last spring, STA administration installed two new YoNaturals vending machines. These machines boast health-conscious and organic alternatives to the traditional vending machines full of Lays chips and candy bars. The YoNaturals machines accept debit and credit cards to make purchasing snacks simpler.
According to principal for student affairs Mary Anne Hoecker , the YoNaturals company called Hoecker last spring and asked to install a vending machine in the Commons.
“I had wanted to put in [a vending machine] that would have food for students who want a little more natural,” Hoecker said. “The bottom line is that I wanted to try a machine that would offer some more healthy choices.”
According to YoNaturals.com, all of their school vending machines meet state school nutrition guidelines. This means that items in the YoNaturals vending machine have no more than 35 percent calories from total fat, no more than 35 percent total sugar by weight and no more than 10 percent calories from saturated fat.
Sophomore Grace Scovell is strongly in favor of having healthier snacks available in the cafeteria and purchases them several times a week.
‘Even though the prices of the healthy vending machines are more expensive, I thinks it’s worth it,’Â Scovell said. ‘I feel healthier and more full when I eat the healthy [food] compared to the unhealthy [food] .’Â
Most items in the YoNaturals machine are $1.25 and most in the regular machines are 85 cents. For example, Doritos from the regular machines are 85 cents while a similar sized bag of Veggie Chips from the YoNaturals Machine is $1.25.
According to freshman Kim Fryer, the higher prices aren’t worth it.
‘I definitely prefer the unhealthy vending machines because the healthy food is disgusting.’Â Fryer said. ‘I usually just buy Twix or another cheap candy bar.’Â
According to Scovell even though some students don’t utilize the YoNaturals vending machines, overall the new vending machines have been successful.
‘Thanks to the new vending machines I see myself and my friends making healthier choices at lunch,’Â Scovell said. ‘[The YoNaturals food] seems fresher and it tastes better.’Â
According to Hoecker there are over 600 items that could potentially be in the YoNaturals vending machines.
“If a group of students came to me and asked for a certain product I would call [YoNaturals] and chances are they would probably put in that item.”
If you’re interested in suggesting new items, refer to the list in Hoecker’s office.
