A number of high schools in the U.S. have installed vending machines designed to offer healthy foods and allow parents to track what their children buy from the machines. Made by Horizon Software, the refrigerated machines, marketed under the name Horizon OneSource Healthy Vending, are equipped with software that allows students to punch in ID and PIN numbers to buy food and drinks. The cost of each item is deducted from a prepaid account and automatically adjusted for students who qualify for discounted or free lunch rates based on household income.
Each machine is programmed to prompt students to make choices that reflect dietary guidelines set by the Department of Agriculture. About a dozen school districts in the country are expected to install the machines in schools this fall.
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