A mars bar from the machine or a short walk to the Spar. Those were just about the only options students and staff members at TU/e had when they felt hungry outside canteen opening hours, which are quite limited these days. But that has changed: as of now, you’ll find machines that contain healthy vegan snacks in three buildings on campus.

These machines, which somewhat resemble smart refrigerators, have been dubbed Health Food Wall, and you’ll find them on floor 1 of MetaForum, FLUX and Vertigo. “They contain wraps, salads, sandwiches and juices,” Martine de Graaff of the Facility Center says. Prices are as follows: 3.45 euros for juices, 3.95 to 4.15 euros for wraps, 2.15 euros for snacks, 6.35 euros for meals and 3.95 to 4.45 euros for sandwiches.

“This pilot will last six months,” she continues. “After that, we will decide whether or not we want to continue with these machines, perhaps we’ll even add some more. We might also offer microwave meals.”

Appèl

What does Appèl – TU/e’s caterer – think of the pilot with the healthy food machines? “The university invited Appèl and Maas – the company responsible for the machines – for a discussion about their wish to experiment with new concepts like this one. In view of staff shortage, they don’t want to burden us with it,” account manager Steven ten Cate says.

He follows the pilot with interest. “These kinds of machines could make it possible to extend canteen opening hours, if necessary, when there isn’t enough staff. That’s something we can discuss with TU/e.”

After all, staff shortage is an ongoing problem for Appèl; there’s no more room left in the schedule. “When someone calls in sick, we immediately find ourselves in a panic situation.” Nevertheless, Ten Cate and his colleagues managed to carefully extend canteen opening hours somewhat.

Most locations – expect for MetaForum (9.00-15.00hrs.) and Brownies&downiest (10.30-16.00hrs.) – currently open at 10.30 and close at 13.30hrs., it says on the TU/e-site. “But those are the guaranteed opening hours. In reality, we try to keep the canteens open until 15.00hrs., and we ‘ve managed quite well,” Ten Cate says. How did they do it? “We made some changes to our operations and our assortment. And on top of that, we definitely owe some gratitude to our staff members who work a few extra hours.”

Any questions about the new vending machines? Send an e-mail to Health Food Wall.