Vending Machines in Schools - Pros and Cons

The vending machine is a means to sell edibles (beverages and snacks) and consumer items without a cashier being needed at the counter. The vending machines in schools sell food items such as sandwiches, soft drinks, muffins, milk, scone, yogurt, juices, etc. The junk food sold by means of vending machines affects the health of the children adversely. Let us know more on vending machines in schools, pros and cons of having them.

Vending Machines in Schools: Pros and Cons
The vending machines make food items easily available to children. These machines could prove to be useful if stocked with healthy food items. However, there also are disadvantages of using the foods from vending machines on a regular basis. It is therefore, necessary to know about the advantages and disadvantages of using these machines.

Vending Machines - Pros
The vending machines provide easy access to the snacks and other food items. The availability of food in the school campus saves time. Vending machines are used to sell not only the edibles, but also to make payments for school programs, computers, after school activities, etc. Schools can provide nutritious food to the students at affordable prices through the vending machines. Some schools are trying to promote the sale of nutritious foods like yogurt, pita fries, soy nuts, string cheese, carrots with dips, dried fruits, flavored milk through the vending machines. With all these arguments in favor of the use of vending machines, one would not find them harmful at all. However, it is very important to know the other side of the debate. So, let us find more about the disadvantages of vending machines.

Vending Machines - Cons
The food that is sold through vending machines is aimed at making profits. As per the 'Health Policy Tracking Service' of the National Conference of State Legislature, many schools earn as much as $100,000 from vending machine contracts annually. Few schools have contracts worth millions of dollars with vending companies. The sole purpose of installing vending machines, in such cases, is to sell the products of these companies. Soft drinks are the most popular items sold by means of the vending machines. Intake of soft drinks accounts for most of the health problems related to childhood obesity. Heart diseases, diabetes, arthritis and high blood pressure are some of the problems that result from the intake of soft drinks. Taking into consideration the ill effects of junk food, many states in the US have banned vending machines.

Vending Machine Business
Today, vending machines in multiplexes, malls, schools, etc. are a common sight. The fact that vending machines are a good source of earning money and schools being the perfect market for them, many companies are trying to capture this market. The idea of installing vending machines in school provides a source of income even for the school authorities. The problem with vending machines arises when the junk food being sold through them starts affecting the health of children. Therefore, companies operating in the vending machine business have taken note of the obesity problems faced by children. Some of these companies are trying to promote the sale of nutritious food by means of vending machines. The Education Department too is trying its best to provide healthier food options to school children. Read more on starting a vending machine business and vending machine business pros and cons. These articles would help obtaining a better idea of the business of vending machines.

It is important to educate children about the ill effects of eating junk food which contains excessive amount of fats and sugar. The facts about vending machines in schools, pros and cons and the overall effect of consuming junk food should be explained properly to children. Thus, change could be brought about only through the combined efforts of people from every section of the society.