S. Huntington puts vending profits into cafeteria

South Huntington's food service director figured out a way to put vending profits back into the cafeteria while allowing the district to benefit, too.

The beverage vending contract is between the district and the food service program.

That has been the case for about 20 years, since food service director Charlie McTiernan realized vending machines could be a good source of revenue and that he could control the products sold.

Last year, the 27 machines generated $143,190.63 in revenue, according to records. That was nearly 7 percent of the total revenue collected by the food service program.

The food service program owns and operates the machines.

McTiernan purchases the products, stocks the machines and collects the profits, giving the district a 15 percent to 30 percent commission.

The contract also states that the district will get $100,000 in "sponsorship fees" over the course of the 10-year deal and $10,000 in scholarships.

South Huntington's machines sell Poland Spring water, Snapple, Gatorade and Pepsi-produced noncarbonated flavored waters throughout the district - and soda and other noncarbonated beverages in teacher's lounges, McTiernan said.