While childhood obesity remains a concern internationally, new technology being trialled in the US could soon help to ease the load on cafeteria furniture, without putting any extra strain on dinner hall staff.
A 'smart' vending machine is being tested for use in a Michigan school, with the ability to automatically calculate which food groups are contained within a single complete order, and how much it should cost.
Under the current education system in the state, children who select an appropriate balance of the food groups to create a 'healthy' total order qualify for reimbursement of the cost.
By using such a system, superintendent Shane Peters says queueing times should be reduced, students need not worry about cash, total meal sales may increase, and the demand for labour from cafeteria staff may be reduced.
With convenience dining on the rise in the UK, it is a hint of what might lay ahead - and we may ultimately see dinner halls equipped with cafeteria furniture, smart vending machines, and no human employees at all.
Consumer analyst Mintel reports that, as the trend progresses, maximising sales may involve providing suitable information about the healthfulness of foods within vending machines.
"The accessible format holds potential for businesses looking to boost sales of - and engagement with - 'better-for-you' products," Mintel explains.
"Providing health information along with products may encourage consumers to buy more, and more often."
Of course, educational environments are not the only situation where vending machines may help to increase food sales - and in the UK, there are other places where vending-only eating is already commonplace.
In sports clubs and leisure centres, for instance, it is not uncommon to find vending machines in a room adjacent to the changing rooms, providing nutritious snacks for a much-needed energy boost either before or after a workout.
By stocking such machines with protein-packed snacks that support a balanced diet, rather than sugary 'reward' snacks like chocolate, club operators could find they are able to cater better for health-conscious customers.
In turn, this could encourage more patrons to make use of snack rooms, keeping sports club furniture occupied and in more regular use - while reducing the typical load it needs to bear.