North Gets Upgraded Vending Machines

          When Parkway North students arrived at school, they were greeted by two new vending machines that replaced two older, traditional ones.  The new vending machines hold the same contents, but these machines allow students to use their credit cards and five dollar bills to make their purchases.
          “They were all in all an upgrade, in that they are more aesthetically pleasing, as well as in that they can take five dollar bills and credit cards, which is a good change from when you could only use ones,” said junior Adam Laytham.
          The ability to use credit cards and five dollar bills makes these new vending machines an upgrade from the previous machines and makes purchasing items easier for students. Junior David Vogan would “like to see the same thing happen with the soda machines”.
          There seems to be little argument that the machines are an upgrade, but these new vending machines are counter-productive in helping students to adopt healthier eating habits because they offer the same non-healthy snacks.
          “It’s definitely counter-productive in the sense of trying to make students make healthier choices with their food.  It gives them unlimited choices because even if you don’t have cash, you can use credit cards.  But I don’t think just the changed vending machines will stop unhealthy eating.  The snack line is filled with unhealthy food,” said junior Sylvia Tse.
          While there are concerns regarding the additions from a health perspective the replacement of the older vending machines with two newer ones seems to be a positive change.

By Steven Chaffin, Jr.