Students at SHS are thirsting for their favorite lunchtime beverages with the absence of the juice filled drink machine in the cafeteria. To the displeasure of many, the lost drink machine is a permanent change to the Scituate High School community due to new Massachusetts state health regulations.

     The elimination of the drink machine is one of several changes that the state is requiring public school systems to incorporate. By encouraging healthier eating and drinking habits among students, the school in collaboration with state law hopes to better community health as a whole. “It’s important for the kids to know why we’re regulating the food served,” said Ms. Zucker, head of the SHS cafeteria staff.

    As part of the new health regulations, Scituate school systems are now required to monitor the amount of fat and sugar in the food that they offer; this includes removing drinks with 22 or more grams of sugar. The SHS cafeteria eliminated the second drink machine altogether, its assortment of drinks ranging from Lemonade to Iced Tea, not meeting health standards.

    Although the freshman class did not recognize the vending machine’s absence, its disappearance stirred up lunchtime buzz among the sophomore, junior and senior classes.  The line for drinks noticeably shorter, questions still exist on whether the second machine is destined to reappear. Even those not directly affected by the machine’s disappearance have an opinion. Senior, Sarah Adams, said “I personally don’t get drinks other than water but I can definitely tell its affecting the other students.” However with health regulations increasing nationwide, concerns with student well-being are unlikely to go away soon.

    Anticipating a diverse drink selection, students were generally discouraged to find only water upon arriving to the lunch. Junior Alece Demetriades said “I don’t like that the machine is gone. The iced tea got me excited for lunch”. Several students were upset with the machine’s absence, a variety of drinks usually available for students to pair with their lunches. 

    Sugary drinks aren’t only changes in progress at SHS. All breads used in the school lunches are now whole wheat or whole grain. “Lots of students can’t tell but the grilled cheese sandwiches are now made with whole grain bread” said Zucker.  In addition, the chocolate and strawberry milk options are now low fat and regular milk is 1%. Another change being made to the Scituate High diet is the complete removal of salt. The school is now required to ensure all foods, even French fries, made by the cafeteria staff contain no salt.

    The eliminated drink machine caused a lot of talk around SHS but is only one of the many changes being made to better student health habits. Although there are people at the school who are not fans of the missing drink options, the hope is that these changes will help to build a healthier Scituate High community.