For at least a year, the old, beaten down, vending machines in the Edina High School cafeteria were completely empty, with the exception of a lone bag of Doritos hanging on the edge. Meanwhile, the vending machine near the field house next to the training room was always filled with chips, Pop-Tarts, and junkfood galore. That is, until Principal Andy Beaton made the executive decision to find a more reliable vending machine system that quell the student body’s hunger and bulk up the administration’s discretionary income.

When Principal Beaton first came to EHS, he noticed the inconsistencies with vending machines and found out that machines in the cafeteria were owned by food services who discontinued the maintenance of the machines. Meanwhile, the athletics vending machine was not only breaking health guidelines, but all the revenue from the machine was going straight to the vender; none of the revenue was being given to the school. Principal Beaton decided to end the school’s contract with the vendor, and team up with a new one to create a more beneficial settlement. “[The administration] worked with a new vending company that understands what our school wellness policy is and had to get approved what is in the machine,” Principal Beaton said.  All of the new snacks and drinks sold in the vending machines meet the health and wellness guidelines that both the cafeteria and DECAfé are required to follow.

The administration works with the business office and food service about making sure that the vending machines follow the same guidelines. “Clearly Mountain Dew and donuts would sell, but that isn’t really what we want students to be eating on a regular basis,” Principal Beaton said. The vending machines are supposed to be a convenience to students that allow them to have a snack during the day, while providing the school ample discretionary income.

The administration signed a contract with Midwest Vending that gives EHS a percentage of all revenue collected from the machine. “It is not like we are able to build a new wing onto the high school with the money, but it is a little bit of money that we get so that we can do minor things like paint a classroom if needed,” Principal Beaton said. The new vending machines provide EHS with some pocket money to go towards certain areas that the budget doesn’t deem as a priority, but are small projects that will benefit EHS.

There are plans in the near future to get a water vending machine. As of now there are three vending machines, one located by the locker rooms, one by the main office, and one by door 6.