New machines to come in October

Citrus College and their vendor removed vending machines after a contract between the two expired this month.

A new vendor, First Choice Vending and Coffee, will install new machines in late October.

A new vendor installed four new microwaves outside of the Owl Cafe on Sept. 16. Magallon said the vending machines will arrive in late October.

First Choice Vending and Coffee replaced former vending machine operators. Owl Bookstore employee Juliana Valesquez said the bookstore received complaints about products in the former vending machines.

The food frequently jammed on its way down to the retrieval slot, and the products were not being refilled, Valesquez said.

Bookstore staff posted temporary signs where the old vending machines stood. The signs addressed to Citrus’ “valued customers” say their opinions were heard. The poster said the bookstore has a new vending machine partner.

Campus microwaves were also removed in the process. Until this month, a dozen microwaves were accessible to students.

Citrus’ enterprise services manager Eric Magallon said even though the original vendors cleared out faster than he expected, the transition between vendors is still in progress.

“The new vendors ordered all brand new machines,” Magallon said. “They’re all just about in, but were just waiting to finalize the contract with the district.”

Magallon acknowledged students’ concerns.

“I just don’t feel the old vendors were paying attention to our students’ needs,” Magallon said. “Their contract with us was coming to a conclusion, so it was a natural progression to go out there and look for other companies.”

The contract concluded between summer and fall, which is why food vending machines still operated in the of the beginning of the semester.

The new machines offer more fresh foods while maintaining a varied selection, Magallon said.

First Choice Vending and Coffee’s product-selection sheet includes foods with fresh ingredients such as salads, fruit parfait and sandwiches. The selection includes traditional snacks such as chips, cookies, and candy bars.

Whether or not these fresh foods remain in the coming vending machines depends on their popularity among Citrus students, Magallon said.

Full-time student and campus center host Latrcia Lopez said she was not concerned about the new machines’ food selection.

“I just hope the new vending machines have apple pay too,” Lopez said