By Sophie De Rouin / Staff Writer

Since its debut in July 2023, the Midwest’s first pizza vending machine at Missouri Valley College has garnered diverse feedback from students.

The machine, holding 96 pizzas and resembling an ATM, was imported from France and also offers a full menu of cookies to students. Local Missouri resident and owner, Liz Huff, expressed high hopes for the machine, stating that “it was going to be really popular,” and eagerly anticipated students’ experiences with it.

Her optimism was echoed by new Missouri Valley College President, Joe Parisi, who believed that Missouri Valley College students would “eat this up.” However, eight months later, students have had time to evaluate and form opinions on the LOT-ZA PIZZA pizza/cookie vending machine.

“I’ve never used the Pizza Machine,” said Daijah White, a sophomore and student-athlete. “I don’t think pizza from a vending machine could taste fresh, and I also work at Domino’s where I’m provided with fresh pizza every day.”

Despite a recent price reduction which set all menu items at $8.50, White remains unconvinced by the vending machine and finds it overpriced.

Raychael Moseley, another student athlete, had positive experiences with the vending machine.

“The Buffalo Chicken Bacon Pickle Pizza was my favorite, and I didn’t mind the price when it was first introduced to campus,” she said. “But for some reason, they decided to discontinue it, which is why I stopped purchasing any of their pizzas.”

Moseley would reconsider if her favorite pizza returned to the menu.

Andres Morreno, a basketball player for the MVC Basketball team, admits he wasn’t initially a fan of the vending machine.

“I decided to order a Veggie Pizza, but it was pretty average,” he said. “However, the cookies are totally worth the price and remain my personal favorite.”

However, he said he doesn’t indulge in the sweet treat regularly due to their cost.