Students at Mercer University now have access to a new vending option with the arrival of a Just Baked machine in the Connell Student Center.
This high-tech vending machine serves warm, freshly baked cookies and other pastries in under a minute, presenting an alternative to traditional snack options on campus.
The Just Baked machine offers a rotating selection of baked goods, including chocolate chip cookies, brownies and seasonal treats. Using automated technology, the machine stores and bakes the items on demand, ensuring they are served warm. While some students appreciate the convenience, others question whether the machine is necessary given existing campus dining options.
"It’s really cool to have something like this on campus," Shreyan Ghelani '28, a neuroscience major who recently tried the machine, said. "I love that I can get a warm cookie without having to leave campus or wait in a long line."
However, not all students are as enthusiastic. Some have raised concerns about pricing, freshness and the machine’s impact on local campus dining services. "It’s a neat concept, but I wonder if it’s worth the cost when there are already plenty of places to get snacks on campus," Sukumar Paidi '28 remarked.
The Just Baked machine is part of a growing trend of automated food options that aim to provide quick, high-quality meals and snacks. While vending machines have traditionally offered pre-packaged snacks, this model attempts to bridge the gap between convenience and freshness.
Ultimately, the success of the Just Baked machine at Mercer will depend on student demand. Located in the Connell Student Center, it remains to be seen whether this new addition will become a campus staple or a short-lived novelty.
Griffin Xu '28 is a biology and journalism double major and first-year staff writer for The Cluster. In his free time he enjoys reading and spending time with his friends.
