BW student project brings new vegan vending machines to campus

Members of professor Wendy Hyde's health class worked to expand the availability of plant-based food options on campus.

Baldwin Wallace University has some new food additions this fall in the form of two refrigerated kiosks located in the Conservatory and Lou Higgins Recreation Center (next to the smoothie bar).

The kiosks serve new and unique plant-based food options to the BW community for those who prefer vegetarian and/or vegan alternative meals.

According to the students who made it happen, the options promote inclusivity as well as healthy eating.

Goals behind the Greens

Last spring, five students from the ASW 215 Foundations of Health and Education class came together with the mission of writing a mini-grant for the school to expand the BW community's vegan dining options.

While researching ways to fill the need, they discovered Vibrance, which offers refrigerated kiosks that sell healthy food options.

According to the company website, the goal of vibrance is to "[n]ourish well-being through vibrant, wholesome, and delicious plant foods."

First in Ohio

The students involved in the Vibrance project were Madison Ray '22, Luke Brudigam '22, Thomas Steed '22, Jasen Hinton '24 and Chikka Eduvie '25.

According to their professor, Wendy Hyde, assistant professor of community health promotion, "BW is the first university in the state to offer this unique plant-based food option to students, faculty and staff."

"We wanted the university to be able to provide nourishing meals for students with diverse dietary needs in a financially sustainable way by allowing for varied payment methods, including meal swipes, flex dollars and personal credit cards," explained Eduvie.

Flavorful, Cruelty-Free Food

The kiosks serve healthy food such as vegan salads, snack boxes, giant gluten-free cookies, vegan pudding and yogurt cups, along with healthy vegan protein drinks.

"As an international student attending BW, I feel honored to have been included in such a project," Eduvie continued. "This success is the culmination of our efforts and is rewarding to know my contribution is going down in BW history."

Future initiatives

There may be more healthy initiatives in BW's future.

Hyde was recently appointed co-curricular student wellness coordinator, a role that will involve developing and promoting programs for the division of student affairs that are focused on student well-being.