Vending machines have new look (2/06)

Feb. 16, 2006

The school has a new fruit bar vending machine and new cages on the old machines because of frequent thefts and resulting mechanical issues.

Students were shaking and breaking them, assistant principal Peter Van Court said. The vendors said when they're shaken, it triggers a mechanism that makes it not work anymore.

The cages will benefit students by preventing these occurrences and keep the machines functioning smoothly, according to Van Court. The whole point of the cage (is so that) students don't have access to punch, kick, hit, push, pull the machine, he said.

MICHELLE WILLENS
Junior Monica Lam buys herself a treat at the popsicle vending machines which sport a new look after being reenforced with cages.

In addition to protecting the vending machines, the cages are also a deterrent for anyone wanting to break into the school to get the money and food out of the machines, Van Court said.

Frequent thefts have resulted in a profit loss for the school and for the vendors, according to Felix Kwong of Laike Vending, the company that owns the Lowell machines. The cages protect the profits for both parties, according to Kwong. It benefits us and it also benefits the school, he said.

Junior Amy Tom understands why the cages were installed. I remember people shaking the machine and almost tipping them over because their food was stuck, she said.

However, since the installation of the cages, Tom, once a frequent visitor to the vending machines, rarely buys the snacks. The cages give me the impression of a prison, she said.

Van Court agreed with the cages' appearance. It's aesthetically not pleasant, he said.

Kwong maintains that the installation of the cages was a mandatory action, despite the issue with the machines' appearance. We had no choice, Kwong said. We basically didn't want to put up cages the cages are expensive.

This is not the first time vendors have taken action to prevent theft, according to Van Court. The first modification was to just bolt the machines to the floor and prevent them from tipping over, he said. But that didn't prevent students from hitting and kicking the machines (Cages) are the second modifications.

The decision to put cages around vending machines to prevent vandalism and theft is not an uncommon one, according to Van Court.

Kwong confirmed. Other schools have the same situation, he said.

In addition to the cages, a new fruit bar machine has been installed.

Proceeds from the new machine along with those from other vending machines near the textbook room on the first floor support the senior class, according to social studies teacher and senior class sponsor Alex Schwarz.

Schwarz believes the machines are a success. It's popular, he said. I like that.

Some students welcomed the new addition. Junior Timothy Chuc praised the product. It (is) healthy and delicious, he said.

Junior Emily Hosea applauded the variety among other things. It's tight; we actually have ice cream here now, she said. It's something that's good for you, that students love.

However, senior Jose Molina expressed concern that the machine was detracting business from local ice cream sellers.

The machine is taking jobs away from hardworking Americans, Molina said, adding he doesnt buy them. There are plenty of people who are willing to sell ice cream at school the popsicle machine isn't really necessary.

Senior Mike Novak agreed. This is totally unfair to the Mexican community, he said. For a couple of weeks, the vendors outside school were selling their fruit bars even cheaper than those in the machine, according to Novak, who bought bars for $0.25 from sellers.

Students also object to the vending machine because of the price.

I also think it's a rip-off, junior Angel Rodriguez said. $1.25 is a pretty high price for a popsicle. They should lower the price to a dollar even.

Share this article