With the support of the Associated Students behind them, representatives from HUMAN Healthy Vending were out in the Quad on Tuesday offering free samples of their healthier snack and drink alternatives which would be provided in their vending machines.
“We are doing a taste test to make sure the students like the [products],” said Andrew Bott, AS vice president for business affairs.
With PCC’s vending contract with Pepsi in limbo, the college has a choice between Pepsi again, Coca-Cola or HUMAN (Helping Unite Mankind And Nutrition) Healthy Vending, according to Bott.
Bott, who has been working toward getting vending machines with healthier food on campus, expressed his and the Associated Students support for HUMAN. Healthy Vending.
“Our contract with Pepsi is expired, the AS has endorsed HUMAN in sticking with PCC’s pledge to be environmentally friendly we decided to recommend [it],” said Bott.
Bott also explained how the HUMAN vending machines offered not only more variety and healthier products but the machines themselves are sustainable.
“We have an exclusive contract with Pepsi so we are not allowed to have any other products unless they say so. With HUMAN we have a selection of over 200 beverages and they offer snacks in the vending machines, which are sustainable and use less electricity,” said Bott.
Alex Michael, easy nutrition specialist, explained HUMAN’s goals.
“We were founded in 2003 on the principle [that] where vending machines exist today they need nutrition. [We are] a nutrition company first and looking to make an impact through the vending machines,” said Michael.
Though the taste results might have differed among students at the event, one thing that did not was the support for a healthier snack alternative on campus.
Adam Washington, international business, felt the snacks were good but lacked flavor and overall were a good choice for PCC.
“They’re pretty good [but] not as flavorful. If we had healthy [food] vending machines people would use them and it would get PCC healthier,” said Washington.
Charmine Bolton, liberal arts, liked the idea of having a vending machine on campus that provide good tasting snacks that are also healthy.
“Most people snack at school so if you’d have something that tastes good and is healthier that would be good,” said Bolton.
Michael Delaney, philosophy enjoyed the food and liked the convenience it would bring people who might be vegetarians or vegans and have to get their food off campus.
“I think it’s good because a lot of students are vegetarians or vegans and they have to go out of their way to get [organic food]. The food is really good. I can see myself enjoying it,” said Delaney.
Washington explained HUMAN’s reason for success is their providence of general value to the students.
“We believe the greatest values in the world; personal or business comes when you can provide general value to others. [That is] why we are so successful because we put students first.”
