By Steven Phan

Steven Phan

Oakland High students are furious about the vending machines being taken away. People used to buy from these machines when they were hungry and needed a snack during passing period. Now that the machines are gone, students no longer can have a quick snack that could help them if they’re hungry.

“ I remember as a freshmen coming into this school, I felt so free being able to get some ice cream in between classes,” said junior Warren Hoang,  “D4, B2, and C1, the same codes I dialed every day for the same three flavors.”

If the vending machines were to return, many students would be grateful. The vending machines would benefit both the school and the students because the school district collects revenue from them which could go to school supplies.

Some students don’t know why the vending machines were even removed in the first place. According to Jennifer LeBarre, Nutrition Services Director for the Oakland Unified School District, “Last year there were two banks of three of the same vending machines. Sales were ok on some machines and poor on others.  We started opening one bank of machines and sales equaled what we made with two banks of machines.”

LeBarre concluded that the machines were removed because the cafeteria floor had to be removed during the summer  of 2010, and we figured that the other set of machines wasn’t needed at Oakland High and therefore would be better off at another school.

“Due to manufacturers discontinuing items and suppliers dropping items we sold, we are searching for nutritionally allowed items to sell that can be supplied by our current distributor,” said LeBarre.  “We are making headway and the machines will reopen before end of school year.”

We students understand that it is complicated to get the machines back, but we need them back immediately.

Image by TheFoodJunk on Flickr.com

Some might argue that students will cut class to go to the vending machine. However, right now, some students take 15 minutes to go off campus to ampm just to buy a quick bag of chips. It could take them less than one minute to grab a healthier snack at an on-campus vending machine!

Especially if Oakland High School closes its campus for lunch next year, students will need a variety of options. Vending machines can provide variety.

OUSD, this is my message to you: We, the students of Oakland High School, in order to form a more perfect way of delivering quick and healthy snacks, need the vending machines back as soon as possible.