As of the Fall 2026 semester, a vending machine has been placed on the second floor of the Howe Center, directly outside the Pierce Dining Hall. This machine offers low-cost food options as well as contraceptives and other health products at a reduced cost to Stevens students.
This vending machine includes snacks such as fruit leather bars, which contain only fruit, Quaker Instant Oatmeal Protein cups, and more filling items such as microwavable rice packets and black beans. It also has items including levonorgestrel (more commonly known as the Plan B or Morning After pill) and pregnancy tests. It is estimated that 23 percent of college students experience food insecurity, with most of these being very low food security, meaning they will skip meals and eat less than they should due to financial struggles. Food insecurity has been linked to academic distress, lower grade point averages, and mental health concerns. Foods containing protein are better at satiating hunger, leading to the inclusion of protein options such as having protein oatmeal instead of the standard option. However, it is unclear how frequently the machine is restocked, and many students have reported that it is empty when they pass by. This may make it difficult for students to determine whether the items they need will be available when they visit.
Although there are condoms placed in most vending machines in residential halls and other parts of campus, this inclusion aims to make other forms of contraceptives and items to assist students more accessible. The greater visibility of contraceptives in higher education is supported by statistics proving comprehensive sex education reduces teen pregnancy rates by 30% globally.
This initiative has been funded by the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education’s Hunger-free Campus Grant. This grant has committed 1.2 million dollars to combat food insecurity on college campuses and was made to foster innovative approaches to assist students experiencing food insecurity. 36 institutions, including Stevens Institute of Technology, Drew University, and Rutgers University, are receiving this grant.
Overall, this vending machine is an initiative from the college that aims to make it easier for students to make healthier decisions.
