Vending
Dartmouth Dining reports repeated theft, vandalism at campus vending machines
November 7, 2025
Dartmouth Dining officials say theft and vandalism have become persistent issues at the college's 83 Fresh Zone vending machines, with up to a dozen incidents occurring daily, according to a report by The Dartmouth.
The machines, introduced last fall to expand food access for students, offer snacks and prepared meals from the college's central kitchen. Reports of damage include broken card readers, pried-open doors and partially eaten food returned to machines.
"On any given day, we have two to three thousand transactions out of the machines across all 83 units, and I deal with anywhere from four or five to a dozen theft attempts a day," Joshua McGary, Dartmouth Dining's retail manager, told the news outlet.
The vandalism has led to temporary shutdowns and hundreds of dollars in losses per incident. Dining officials said the machines were meant to improve late-night food access for students who rely on meal plans, but misuse has hindered that goal.
