- I have a very strong
feeling that there's an opportunity for healthier and improved
eating in a college students lifestyle that can be implemented
through the creation of vending machines that store healthier
food options in a controlled temperature to maintain the quality and
freshness of the product.
- Belief: In a day, 10-12 hours of a college
students time are spent on campus. With a busy schedule, most students
don't really have the time to stand in long lines and and wait for their
order to be taken first, then wait for their food to be cooked and served.
While time is an important factor, a lot of students are on a tight budget
as well and hence they either skip their afternoon meal or purchase
something from the vending machine which plays an important part in students life. Its cheap, cost effective and takes
less than a minute for your item to be in your hand. With new diet trends
on the rise vending machines that serve healthier options can really
fulfill the needs of athletes, students on strict calorie, low sugar/sodium/fat
diets etc. Take UF for instance, a lot of the vending machines on
campus are stacked with unhealthy options leaving students no option.
While most schools are aware of this problem, little implementation has
been done over the years.i am 90% that if my idea were to be executed, it
would be greatly successful.
- The first person that I spoke to was my
brother about this since hes greatly involved in sports and tries to
stay healthy. Since hes in his senior year he spends almost all day
on campus so either hes attending classes or hes studying in the library.
With limited healthy options that are either too expensive or just not
according to his taste results in him skipping his afternoon meal most of
the times. On days when he skips breakfast, he ends up going to Publix or
target right after his class ends and either buys hummus and flatbread or
tuna. Upon discussing my idea with him, he said that if selected vending
machines were stacked with healthier options at low effective rates,
labeled with stickers and all to promote the campaign it could be really
successful.
- The next person I spoke to was my roommate.Since my roommate is on a strict diet due to medical reasons, she can only consume gluten free, vegan options. and since those options aren't really available on campus, she ends up having lunch from outside. if she doesn't feel like having anything from outside, she ends up going grocery shopping and makes herself a meal at home and then goes back to campus. On days when shes on a time constraint, she too ends up skipping lunch. Upon asking her whether vending machines stacked with healthy options and food items for everyone could help solve the problem, she replied with an affirmative yes.
- The third person that i got a chance to speak with was a guy trying to figure out what to get from the vending machine. The first thing I asked him was about his class schedule and how long does he stay on campus on average. So his first class starts at 9:30 and then the next class starts at 3 and ends by 5. And in between classes he has a 2 hour break which he mostly spends at Heavener hall completing assignments. Since he doesnt have time to make it back home and cook a meal he either carries some fruits or nuts from home and ends up having that in school. But on days when he doesnt have anything, he ends up buying something from the vending machine and that usually is either a pack of ruffles, Doritos or then some peanut m&ms. When I asked why doesnt he buy lunch from the food court, he said that going to Reitz union, then waiting in line just wasn't worth it and usually snacks light in the afternoon and has a bigger meal at night. When I asked if the vending machines stored sandwiches or salad bowls or tuna/hummus/ fruit bowls, would he purchase those and he replied with a yes.
After conducting these interviews I realized how wide the scope was and how successful it would be because a lot of the time students are looking for something that isn't messy to handle, light snack able lunch and something that full of nutrition but also light on the pocket.and is a fast solution to their hunger pangs and cravings without actively going out and searching for it. The food that is easily available to people is what they will eat and if we can change that for them then we change eating habits over time and create a healthier culture. When i started my process I wasn't sure of the kind of response I would get and thought that mostly only girls would support this change however after my interviews I realized that a lot of guys preferred healthier options but it should definitely taste good. I think its important for entrepreneurs to consider and take customer feedback and constructive criticism because their business hugely depends on getting the support of customers. They should be willing to adapt to changing customer needs as well.
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