The Coventry School Committee heard a proposal to add full-meal vending machines at Coventry High School as a way to increase student participation in school meal programs and extend meal-service hours without hiring additional staff.

Superintendent Cowart introduced the idea and invited a Sodexo representative to present machine features and projected costs. The vendor described machines that can be configured to serve two rows of breakfast and three rows of lunch, include an elevator mechanism to prevent product damage, are ADA compliant and connect to the district’s Mosaic point-of-sale system so meals track against student accounts. The presenter said the machines typically hold 100–120 meals depending on configuration and that delivery would take about 12–16 weeks once ordered.

The district’s current estimate for purchasing a machine with selected add-ons was $17,365, the presenter said, and noted an annual Vendovation analytics fee of about $300 per machine. A lease option (four years at an indicated 7% interest rate) was available; the vendor advised a purchase order by the end of the month to lock pricing, citing possible federal-tariff-related price increases.

Committee members pressed on equity and logistics. The presenter said students eligible for free or reduced-price meals would use their ID number so they would not be charged, and the machine’s software prevents a student from obtaining a second subsidized meal during service. Members asked whether the machine would divert meals from Sodexo’s cafeteria lines; staff said the goal is to increase total meals served, not replace line service, and that location and foot-traffic control would be critical to supervision and safety.

Several members expressed caution about food waste and uncertain student demand. Member Jack Lilly asked whether a trial was possible; staff recommended pursuing leasing terms so the district could return a leased unit if it proved unsuccessful, and suggested a student survey to gauge interest. Superintendent Cowart asked the district wellness committee to help design a short student survey and committed to return with financing details, clarified lease terms and survey results before any purchase decision.

Next steps: staff will obtain concrete leasing options and pricing, run a student-interest survey with images and examples of full-meal offerings, and present findings at a future meeting before any vote to purchase or lease a machine.