Nutrition Services for Primary Schools

Sometimes schools need a little help to get the whole school and wider community motivated about making healthy changes, especially when it comes to food. Nutrition Australia offers the Healthy Eating Schools program and Canteens Advisory Service to give schools the extra support they may require to make healthy changes and implement new initiatives.

Healthy Eating Schools

The Healthy Eating Schools (HES) Program, which currently services 120 schools, is the largest school-focused nutrition health promotion program in Victoria. The program is run by Dietitians and Nutritionists who are experts in the field of school health promotion, and offers individualised, hands-on support for schools wishing to create an  environment that promotes the health and wellbeing of all students. Nutrition Australia has developed a number of resources that can be used in conjunction with the HES program to inspire healthy eating and physical activity.  

Canteens Advisory Service 

The school canteen or food service plays an important role not only in the provision of nutritious food to children, but also in encouraging children to make healthy food choices. When appropriate and nutritious options are provided, the school canteen can complement the nutrition and health focused information taught in the classroom, and can help to promote a school culture of healthy eating that can extend into the wider family and community.

The Canteens Advisory Service (CAS) has been established by the Department of Health and funded by the Victorian Government's Community Support Fund, which aims to support schools with primary school-age children to provide and promote healthy food choices. The CAS is a service directed towards all individuals involved in Victorian primary school canteens, including canteen managers, workers, volunteers and canteen committees. The service also provides information for primary schools who do not have an on-site canteen, but provide alternative forms of food service.

Nutrition Australia Victorian Division is responsible for implementing the Canteens Advisory Service via their team of Dietitians and Nutritionists, who have extensive experience working with schools in the areas of child nutrition and health promotion.