A Little More for Little Snack

By Ciin Cing

How often do you think students spend their pocket money on everyday school snacks and vending machines? Pretty often, don’t you think? But aren’t you also curious on how some of some of the prices of the snacks change? Our student favorite lunch stand snacks are the Hershey Triple Chocolate cookie. Last year at Jenks High School, Hershey triple chocolate cookies were 75 cents. Now, they are 1 dollar.

 As prices continue to change, students have become more aware of how much they are spending. At Jenks High School, snacks and drink vending machines can be found around the school, along with snack stands during lunch where students can purchase snacks and drinks.

Having these options at school is not new, and with new technology like tap-to-pay, buying a snack has become even more convenient for students. Students have the freedom to purchase snacks during the school day, making vending machines and lunch stands a popular option. However, the recent changes in snack pieces have caught the attention of many students.

As time passed, students have noticed that some snacks have increased, especially at the lunch stand. For example, The Hershey triple chocolate Cookie increased from 75 cents last year to 1 dollar this year. These cookies are a popular choice among students, which has caused some to wonder, “Why are they raising the pierce?” 

While a 25-cent increase may not seem as much, it can add up for students who regularly purchase snacks throughout the school year. The price change also raises questions about what is causing these increases and how they affect students.

According to Pat Meadows, Director of Child Nutrition from Jenks Child Nutrition, the price increases are connected to the rising cost of food, paper, and labor cost.

“We held off raising meal pieces as long as we could, “ Meadows said. “The last meal price increase was in 2020.”

The increase in cost has affected the prices students see when purchasing food at school. While the Hershey Triple Chocolate Cookie only increased 25 cents. Students who regularly purchased snacks do notice a difference over time.

Khup Thang, a senior at Jenks High School,  said he gets hungry throughout the day, so he often feels the need to buy snacks. However, the cost can become frustrating at times.

“I get hungry throughout the day so I would buy multiple snacks throughout the day. Usually I spent about $4 a day spending money on vending machine snacks. It gets annoying sometimes because I feel like I'm getting scammed because I don’t really get full,” Khup said.

For students like Khup, buying snacks throughout the school day can become an expense that adds up over time. Even though some individuals' prices may seem small, regulatory purchasing snacks daily can make the differences more noticeable.

Another senior, Lucy Muang said the prices have made her rethink about purchasing snacks even if she was hungry.

“I usually only get snacks if my friends get it or pressure me to get it. For vending machines, it’s a bit harder for me because I always have to transfer money from my savings account to get the snack.”

For Muang, the higher prices make buying snacks less convenient, especially when she has to move her money from her savings to make a purchase. But the price increase is not just affecting students. The school has also had to deal with higher costs for the food and supplies needed to provide these snacks.

“Child Nutrition had to increase prices because of increased food, paper, and labor costs,” Meadows said.

As food, paper, and labor cost continues to affect the Jenks High School nutrition, students may continue to see changes in snack prices. Though a 25-cent increase may not seem like a huge difference, it can eventually add up over time. Students can either keep buying their favorite snack to fill their stomach, where others may think it’s not worth the extra money.

Vending machines are similar to the snack stand at lunch because students can buy snacks when they are hungry. However, the main difference is that vending machines are available in different areas around the school, making them more convenient for students who may not have time to go to the lunchroom. With the price increase, students who regularly use vending machines may also notice the extra cost adding up over time.

Meadows expanded on the fact that Jenks High School meal prices are within the same price range as other school districts in the area, not just Jenks High School. 

“Many other area school districts also had to raise meal prices this year.  Our meal prices are in alignment with the meal prices of other districts,” Meadows said.

As food, paper, and labor cost continues to affect Jenks High School nutrition, students may continue to see changes in snack prices. While 25 cents may not seem like a lot, it can add up over time. For students who buy snacks often, they may have to start thinking twice about what they spend their money on. For some students, that extra 25 cents could be a difference between grabbing a snack or saving their money.