Maureen Dinnie
Senior Editor
Earlier this month, students were introduced to the Moobella Machine, which serves as a quick and simple ice cream maker.
The Moobella Machine, created by Bruce Ginsberg in 2001, claims to be a new innovation in the world of ice cream. In three easy steps, the buyer chooses a flavor and a topping with a push of a button. The machine then takes 40 seconds to produce the fresh cup of ice cream into the hand of the buyer.
NCHS is the first high school to try out the Moobella Machine. Moobella was first installed destinations were Yale University and Yale Hospital, both in New Haven.
“This is the first high school overall to have a machine in their cafeteria,” Moobella Field Operator Celso Martins said. Mr. Martins will monitor the usage of the machine for the first couple months, not only to over see the reaction from the high school, but to control the crowds as well.“We do not have enough time in the lunch, we need more time to give out ice cream because its so popular,” Mr. Martins said.
With 96 different mix and match combinations, the ice cream can appeal to many different students. The popularity of the Moobella craze is clear from the lines it draws during all three lunch periods. “I personally like it because I get to make it myself with all the buttons, but it tastes good too. The M&M’s are my favorite,” senior Alex Lloyd said.
But the popularity of the machine comes with a cost. The main concern with students is that ice cream itself is not worth the wait. Sophomore Olivia Hompe has yet to judge the new Moobella machine. “I’ve never had it because the lines have been too long, so I wouldn’t know,” she said.
Others have developed methods of timing the lunch rush in order to get in their ice cream for the day. “I went before lunch so I could beat the lines, it’s too long to wait,” freshman Ryan McMahon said.
To address the problem, the school recently added a second machine to the cafeteria. “It should increase the popularity, since most people were turned off by the long lines,” Mr. Martins said. “If there is an empty machine, people will not have to wait.”
Due to the reaction to the first machine, a second was installed shortly after. The addition of the second machine comes at a price for the school. Currently, NCHS is leasing each machine for $400.00 a month. “I think its dumb to have a second machine, the money could be used elsewhere in the school,” junior Alyssa Domino said.
Senior Erin Wallace believes that the addition was premature. “I think the Moobella machines are a phase. People will grow tired of it and the money spent will be pointless,” she said.
Despite these mixed reviews on the second machine, there is no ignoring the ice cream craze. The administration has even joined the appreciation for the new treat. “I want one in my own home!” Principal Tony Pavia said.
A few days ago, a sign in the cafeteria indicated that the machines were closed. “We had to shut it down because of a small minority of students who were stealing,” Food Services Director Bruce Gluck said.
According to Mr. Gluck, approximately twenty students had been buying a cup of ice cream, and then using the same cup to receive ice cream without paying for a second cup. While the machines were closed for a few days, they are now reopened.
