Sophomore and Vice President of the VWU Half Baked Club Mason Medina uses the Just Baked vending machine.
Isaac Fick|Marlin Chronicle
Vending machine receives attention and criticism for its location and price.
Recently, a new Just Baked vending machine has been installed outside the Boyd Dining Center.
According to their website, Just Baked vending machines are popping up in schools and public places, and they’re changing the way we think about snacks. “Just Baked Smart Bistro provides venues such as colleges, hospitals, resorts, airports and casinos with 24/7 availability.” For Virginia Wesleyan students the 24/7 access to Just Baked is limited due to the fact that the Batten Center is not open past 10 p.m. during the week.
Just Baked vending machines are designed to bake fresh treats on the spot. The machines are equipped with ovens and special technology that ensures the snacks are cooked perfectly every time, according to Just Baked.
“I do believe that it would be worth it,” Half Baked Club’s Dough Keeper and sophomore Marquez Glover said. “However the idea has to be implemented and located where students can access it more efficiently, like the 24 study lounge.”
“It is put in an area that closes past a certain time,” junior Kyla Robberecht said. She thought the machine should provide more options outside of the dining center. “Putting it where students can access it 24/7 would be a bit better,” Robberecht said.
“I saw the vending machine as an opportunity,” Glover said. “I was thinking it was a way for students on campus to have a late night snack, but I was disappointed since it exists by the cafe and it’s not as practical as it may seem.” Glover explained that he was disappointed by the location of the vending machine.
With the machine being just outside the Boyd Dining Center, students have both options: the vending machine and dining center.
“It wouldn’t be as much as a benefit since you have to pay out of pocket money,” Half Baked Club’s President and sophomore Jaylin Diggs said. Comparing the vending machine to the dining center, Diggs elaborated, “in the cafe you do have to wait but you can get as much food you want for a single meal swipe.”
Glover also discussed that the quantity of food for the prices is what has encouraged him not to order anything from Just Baked yet. “I saw it more convenient to just buy the items from the grocery store,” Glover said. “You even get more than what the machine offers for around the same price.”
“I feel like the portion sizes are really small,” junior Becca Haegele said. “$11 for … alfredo that doesn’t even cover half of the bottom tray is just kind of pricey.”
By Brady King
