Call the Canteens Advisory Service Infoline: 1300 22 52 88

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 funded by the Department of Health 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.

The Service aims to  increase understanding of the need for healthy canteens and food service options, and to increase commitment to providing foods that are nutritious and health promoting. This will be achieved by drawaing on best practice interventions locally and nationally. The Service offers professional development opportunities for canteen and school staff and volunteers as well as resources developed to support canteens and schools to provide healthy food options. In addition, the Service will actively engage with key stakeholders to increase support and likelihood of success.

Canteens Advisory Service Aim: For Victorian primary schools to provide a nutritious and safe food service that is consistent with the Australian Dietary Guidelines.

Canteens Advisory Service Objectives:

• To increase the knowledge and skills of the canteen staff regarding healthy, appealing and safe foods for food services
• To improve the commitment from school councils and parents and friends associations to promote and support healthy food choices in their schools and communities
• To increase the availability and affordability of healthy foods offered in school food services
  
• To link with key stakeholders including the food industry, Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, local Dietitians, local government, community and women’s health services and other State canteen associations to support this Service.

Canteens Advisory Service website

The Canteens Advisory Service website provides information and practical ideas for all individuals involved in Victorian primary schools.   

Information includes:

• Why become a healthy canteen?
• Why is it important for our kids to eat well?
• The Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents in Australia
• The Health Promoting Schools Framework
• Why should my school have a canteen policy?
• Changing to a healthier canteen
• The canteen menu & practical food ideas
• Promotional and marketing ideas for healthy canteens
• Volunteering
• Fundraising ideas
• Inspiring canteen case studies
• What if my school doesn't have a canteen?
• FAQ's
• Resources
• Links

Canteens Advisory Service Infoline: 1300 22 52 88

The CAS Infoline is staffed by Nutrition Australia Dietitians and Nutritionists who have experience working with schools in the area of child nutrition and health promotion, and who can provide information and fact sheets on a range of canteen issues.

The Infoline is available to all Victorian primary schools for the cost of a local call (landlines only - not available to mobile phones and interstate callers).

Hours of operation:
The Infoline operates on weekdays. When the office is closed, a message may be left on the answering machine.

Services provided by the Canteens Advisory Service:

• The CAS website 
• An email information service canteens@nutritionaustralia.org
• Newsletters for canteen staff
• Free workshops and training for canteen staff
• Support in the practical implementation of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development's School Canteens and Other Food Services Policy
• Resources, information and fact sheets on practical ideas for becoming a healthier canteen
• Advice on choosing healthy food products
• Information on existing canteen resources and services in Victoria

Free Canteen Menu Assessments for all Victorian Government primary schools

The Canteens Advisory Service offers free canteen menu assessments. Within a menu assessment, foods are classified as  Everyday, Select Carefully, and Occasionally using the School Canteens and Other School Food Services Policy.

Each school undergoing an assessment will be provided with:

1. Practical advice for making any changes required
2. Marketing and promotional ideas
3. Tips for menu layout
4. Additional healthy food ideas to help with rotating menu items

Menu assessments are perfect for schools that:

• Have never had their canteen menu assessed.
• Have changed their menu items since it was last assessed
• Are looking for ideas to revamp their canteen but are unsure of where to start
  

For more information about free menu asssessments, please call the Canteens Infoline on 1300 22 52 88 (press 2) or email canteens@nutritionaustralia.org.