Vending Machines in Chelmsford Schools to Become Healthier

As Chelmsford Public Schools looks to increase participation in school lunch programs and come into compliance with state regulations, all sugary drinks from vending machines will be removed this upcoming school year.

The school system's eight vending machines in Chelmsford High School and both middle schools will have to abide by the state's guidelines for no sodas or drinks with artificial sweetners. Drinks with caffeine will also be eliminated.

School Business Manager Kathy McWilliams on the Inside CPS tv show said most likely the schools will only be able to have water in the vending machines.

The schools will also have to look into what they can serve for snacks in a vending machine to come into compliance with state laws.

McWilliams said a healthy vending machine with healthy snacks was also piloted this year and it didn't go over very well.

"People didn't embrace it, really the (snacks) might not have been that tasty I've been told, but we can't even try that next year, we have to see what foods can go in (the machines)," she said. 

Regular vending machine items will be available in the teachers' lounges, she said.

"But if children have access to it, it has to be changed. So it is a change, people will have to get used to it and most likely it'll just be water," McWilliams said.