The Gavilan Gym is open to whomever wants to get fit. People in the gym will give you instruction on how to work out or how to eat right.  But some students question why the gym’s vending machine offers some food full of empty calories.

On any given day, you can find chocolate cupcakes and candy bars, along with potato chips.

“I am insulted that they don’t have healthy food but junk food,” said student Michelle Molino. “They should have some Raisin Bran and some Sun Chips.”

But the college is not responsible for what goes inside the machines.
“We’re looking for two things with products for the vending machine.” said Joe Keeler, vice president of administrative services, “What customers want and what they’re willing to purchase.”

The real mastermind of what products are in the vending machine is a private company.  It is the operator of the vending machine.  Keeler did not give the name of the company.

According to Keeler, Gavilan cannot tell the company what to put in the vending machine, however it can make some proposals. Next year they will recommend some apples or similarly nutritious food.
Dean of Athletics, Ron Hannon says vending machine customers should know what’s good for them.

“All the vending machines sell the same products on the campus,” Hannon said.  “The vending machines are for customers and it’s really on individual choices.  And I think they have the right to choose.  Even though we are promoting better health, it is not up to us but for them”

But some students say they wish the school would take the tempting high-calorie snacks out of their view.

“I really believe that having fattening food in the gym is not right,” said student Eddie Garcia.   

So, for now, if you swim a lap, you can grab a Twinkie.  It’s up to you.