Seldom is there a lineup at vending machines placed around the two highschools in Campbell River, Timberline Secondary and Carihi Secondary.
Of course, most students choose to go to the cafeteria for their lunches, but a lot of kids have studying to do and can’t afford to wait in long lineups to get their food. That’s where vending machines come in.
“The prices are way too high, and I don’t think that there are enough nutritional things. I only go there for the junk food anyways,” Says Aislinn Delorme.
If you walk through the halls during class time you may find the vending machines being re-stocked, and by the end of the day they’re near empty again. Where do kids find all the time to buy food and drinks from them?
Lucy Rairie, a student at Timberline Secondary, says, “bags of chips with only a few in them run us $2 at my school, and they’re always out of water. I’ve never seen that much healthy stuff in them.”
Although they may be full of candy bars, bags of chips, and diet pops, kids are concerned about their health if they buy too much from the vending machines. Sometimes they want a more healthy option. This may encourage them to pack a lunch to bring to school, but often kids don’t have the time.
“Honestly, I think the prices are fine for everything except water. But I don’t think that there are enough options for kids wanting to eat healthier,” says Julianna Yates.
Hydration is an important part of concentration and function throughout a tiring school day, but in a pinch the money for water may not be worth it, pushing kids to buy a diet soda instead.
“At Timberline, almost all of the food sold is more unhealthy and meant for snacks. I don’t always buy from them because of how unhealthy it is, even though the prices are fair,” Sayde Coffill states.
When it boils down to it, vending machines are really just for snacks.