“It’s weird without the vending machines on campus,” sophomore Marley Nacco, who frequently utilized the machines, said. “It’s actually so upsetting. There’s not another food source that [is] as easy to access, the vending machines were so convenient.”

For many students, the vending machines are a effective and quick way to fuel their bodies throughout the school day. Despite lunch options in the CEA, long lines and minimal food options lead students to gravitate away from this food source. Generally, opinions around the departure of the vending machines come to a similar consensus: students miss them. 

“I’m on cross country and twice a week we have morning practice at 6:10, so I usually forget to bring food to school. The vending machines helped me a lot with that problem,” Nacco said.

The primary motivation for the removal of the vending machines from campus was a contractual issue between the Tamalpais Union High School District (TUHSD) and the vending company. The machines failed to meet district requirements, particularly in terms of nutritional standards for the food they offered.

Ben Guyton, director of TUHSD’s student nutrition services commented on school requirements. 

“Our goal is to have better control over making sure that we are compliant with federal estate nutrition regulations,” Guyton said. 

Principal Payne also shared some insight on the contractual issues from an oversight perspective.

“The district decided to terminate the contract and move it in house so that [TUHSD] can directly supply whatever is in the vending machines,” Payne said.

Regardless of this recent separation from the machines, the district worked alongside Guyton in the process of bringing the vending machines back after the winter break. Not only will the machines return

to campus, but they will come back with a new combo machine that will include a mix of snacks and more nutrient-filled foods including sandwiches, yogurt parfaits, salad shakers and more.

“Right off the bat, students will notice that the machines are an updated modern machine with a touchscreen interface,” said Guyton. With these advancements students will be able to select what item they would like to purchase by simply touching a screen. The machines will also be more convenient for students paying with card and Apple Pay, making the time spent purchasing from the machines a lot speedier. 

However, one problem the district is still facing with these new and improved machines is where they should be located. For past years, the machines were located by the front doors of campus at the main entrance.

“The previous location of the vending machines was not ideal, mostly because it was the highest trafficking point in the entire school: that’s where outside converges with inside,” Payne said.

The new location has yet to be confirmed, but according to Mr. Guyton it seems that the CEA will be ideal. By having the machines located in the CEA it allows administration more oversight over the machines and prevents excessive lingering as seen in previous years. 

As winter break approaches, the district eagerly anticipates providing hungry students with convenient access to nutritious food and beverages right on campus.