It is estimated that Australia’s 7000 school tuckshops feed over one
million students. In Queensland alone, one study estimated that tuckshops
generate around $14 million dollars profit for schools (Queensland Association
of School Tuckshops, 1998). While collectively comprising Australia’s largest
take-away food outlet, school tuckshops differ from take-away outlets in that
they are in the unique position of being part of the education environment,
providing an excellent opportunity to reinforce in a practical way education
about nutrition and healthy eating.
Nutrition Australia believes school tuckshops are very well placed to provide
a significant contribution to promoting health and nutrition. Students are
becoming increasingly reliant on the school tuckshop to supply breakfast, lunch
and snacks, as parents struggle to manage a busy schedule. It is estimated that
tuckshops provide around 30% of students nutritional requirements while at
school. It is, therefore essential that the majority of this food is healthy,
providing energy and nutrients which allow for optimal physical growth, mental
alertness and assist with the prevention of ‘lifestyle diseases’. The foods
will also need to look appealing and taste great.
It is important to encourage the consumption of food that not only positively
influences health but will establish healthy eating habits for the future.
Ideally, the tuckshop should support the nutrition messages learnt in the
classroom, and provide a practical opportunity for students to choose healthy
foods.
The school community needs to share the responsibility of educating students
about nutrition and healthy eating. Providing a consistent message with the
curriculum can be seen as one of the most important and influential roles the
tuckshop can play in the school community.
How to market healthy foods to make a profit?
Nutrition Australia has aimed to highlight the importance of keeping
nutritious food on the menu by encouraging the use of marketing and clever
school-wide promotions. Marketing plays a major role in encouraging students to
opt for the healthy choice. To help tuckshops make the change to a healthy
tuckshop, Nutrition Australia has developed a "10 point plan" on Making
the Change to a Healthy Tuckshop. For more information and support to make a healthy
tuckshop profitable, join Nutrition Australia’s Nutrition in Schools Advisory
Service.
To assist tuckshops with their work, Nutrition Australia has established the
Nutrition in Schools Advisory Service, a health and nutrition promotion program
to assist the school community. This service is offered nationally.
Nutrition in Schools Advisory Service aims to provide up-to-date nutrition
information for tuckshops/ canteens, teachers, students and parents, in an
effort to keep the school community abreast of the latest nutrition information
and to help promote good nutrition within the whole school
community. Nutrition Australia has a range of resources available,
including:
