Healthy Vending Machine Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Submitted by Tanya Kotlowski, Superintendent
Through the vision of Austin Winters, a 2014 Necedah High School graduate, the middle/high school commons is the home of a new healthy vending machine.
Back in April 2013, Austin came forward to join the Student Wellness Committee. He suggested the committee take a look into the options of obtaining a milk machine, as he felt there were students and athletes after school who would drink the milk before going to activities or practices. The wellness committee surveyed students, and it was found that most students would be interested.
The Wellness Committee decided to expand on Austin’s vision, and made the machine more than a milk machine, by including additional healthy snack options. Today, the machine is stocked with beef sticks, cheese sticks, apples, apple slices with caramel dip, juices, baked chips, and milk.
The total cost of the machine was $5,415, and the cost was assumed by donations and fundraising. Funding sources include Mile Bluff Medical Center donations (Scamper Run), Whole Life Chiropractic donation, Walmart grant, Fuel Up To Play 60 & Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board grant, and Action for Healthy Kids grant.
The machine began its debut on April 11, 2018, with the initial charge to begin testing snack items, and create stocking procedures. To date, over 708 items have been sold out of the machine.
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