Forget the Commons, Mudd now has a new snack stop that is closer, more convenient, open 24/7, and allegedly…cheaper.

Once the clock ticks to 3:10 p.m., the low murmur of teachers in Mudd is engulfed by the boisterous voices of middle schoolers, the bomb dropping of backpacks, the clinking of doors opening and closing as they lean on them, exhausted and glad that school is over. The first thing many seek out is an after-school snack. In the past, the Commons was the only place serving up grab-and-go snacks, but this year, a vending machine was added to the Mudd building, providing another convenient and close snack option. 

Dean of Student Activities & Auxiliary Programs Ms. Farrell Heydorff said, “A lot of times, students have sports and other activities that go until five o’clock, and the Commons is only open until 3:30. When they were finishing up with sports, they were really hungry, so they wanted an option to have healthy snacks they could enjoy.”

Besides addressing hunger, the vending machine also provides convenience, saving students from rushing to the Commons between classes.

The vending machine was a student government initiative led by the class of 2027 three years ago. Discussions with Chief Finance & Operations Officer Ms. Linda Ross and Director of Dining Services Chef Brandon Worrell ensured it wouldn’t conflict with Commons operations. Mudd was eventually chosen as the machine’s location because of its indoor accessibility and convenience for lower, middle, and upper schoolers.

“We wanted the vending machine near Mudd, so we can spread out the locations of snacks. The upper schoolers can benefit from the Commons, and Mudd is a central place that the lower schoolers and middle schoolers can reach,” said Isabella Y. ’28, the 2023–2024 Vice President of the 8th grade student government.

While middle and upper schoolers can access the machine at any time, lower schoolers are only allowed access after 3:30. But around 3:00, many line up and stick their heads on the glass doors to get a peek at the legendary machine. Ms. Heydorff said that sixth-graders will be allowed access throughout the day during the second semester–if they are well-behaved.

Snacks are chosen for nutrition, protein, and student preference via a survey, and all purchases are made through reputable suppliers like Restaurant Depot and Costco. Nutella breadsticks is a popular staple snack for many, while the Zest pineapple and Korean barbecue jerky are less well liked.

When asked if she preferred to buy snacks from the Commons or the vending machine, Nylee B. ’29 said definitively, “The vending machine, they’re cheaper.”

“[The vending machine] is just more convenient. After school, I don’t want to walk all the way to the Commons,” said Chloe L. ’29.

The convenience of the machine was noted by many others, including Sofia O. ’30 and Romy S. ’31, who said that it becomes especially handy “when it’s raining.”

Although the vending machine has won high praise for convenience, several students lamented its cash-only operation. Sophie S. ’32 said, “Sometimes, I didn’t have cash on me, so I couldn’t pay for anything. I guess that was a problem.”

While the cash requirement might be one issue of inconvenience, it has not prevented students from taking advantage of the vending machine as an easy snack option, particularly for students like Romy S. ’31 who stay in after care. “It’s quite important to me, because I come here (Mudd) for the aftercare a lot,” she said. 

 Sofia O. ’30 said, “I feel like the Commons has more snacks, but the vending machine is more convenient.”