ACT Nutrition Support Service

18/04/2026

Last week we wrapped up three years of school holiday cooking classes with multicultural young people, delivered in partnership with MARSS - Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services, through an ACT Government Health and Community Services Healthy Canberra grant.

It’s been a privilege to cook with such enthusiastic teens as they explored, prepared, harvested and tasted their way through recipes from around the world 🌏. From building practical skills to creating bold flavour combos (where too much chilli is never enough 🌶️), they’ve embraced every moment and stepped outside their comfort zones.

Just as importantly, we’ve learned from them. Each session has been rich with cultural exchange - stories, languages and traditions shared through a common connection: food.

This is what community nutrition in action looks like. Building skills, confidence and connection through the joy of food 💛



Nutrition Australia
ACT Government

15/04/2026

📣 Attention School Professionals - Register your interest! Food and nutrition messaging in schools.

Safe nutrition messaging in schools can have a huge impact on children's relationship with food. That's why we are working together with A/Prof Gabriella Heruc's research team at Western Sydney University and The University of Newcastle, Australia as part of the Supporting Healthful Initiatives in Nutrition Education (SHINE) project.

The project team are currently recruiting school professionals (e.g., teachers, canteen staff, principal, school counsellors/psychologist) to provide feedback on a draft version of the school food and nutrition messaging guidelines in a one-off online session (1.5 hours).
Your feedback will help ensure the guidelines are relevant, clear, and acceptable to the people they are designed to support.
🔗 To learn more and register your interest: tinyurl.com/FGA-Guidelines
Please share with anyone who may be interested!

11/04/2026

This week our CEO, Leanne Elliston, met with ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith MLA to talk about the urgent need for stronger nutrition support in early childhood.

The first 1,000 days of life are so important for a child’s growth, brain development and lifelong health. Investing in nutrition during this period is fundamental for children's health and reducing the burden of chronic disease on the health system.

As part of the ACT 2026–27 Budget, we are calling for investment in an Early Childhood Nutrition Hub. This initiative would deliver evidence-based, community-focused programs to support Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services and families, helping give every child the best possible start in life.

View our budget submission here:https://www.treasury.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/2994105/18.-Nutrition-Australia-ACT-Incorporated.pdf

ACT Government Health and Community Services
Nutrition Australia

29/03/2026

From Greek yoghurt to protein-enriched cereals, protein is everywhere right now!

While protein is important, it’s just one part of the bigger picture. Eating well isn’t about focusing on a single nutrient - it’s about balance, variety, and enjoying a wide range of foods.

Earlier this month, our senior , Leanne Elliston, spoke with ABC Canberra Radio about looking beyond the protein hype and focusing on what really matters for health and wellbeing.

🎧 Have a listen here: https://actnss.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/afternoonsabclisten-12.3.26.mp3

Nutrition Australia

19/03/2026

Our ever-popular school holiday cooking program sold out so quickly that, due to popular demand, we’re excited to release a bonus week of kids’ cooking classes from 7–10 April 👩‍🍳👨‍🍳

These hands-on classes are perfect for getting children involved in the kitchen in a fun, supportive small-group environment, guided by our highly experienced, qualified dietitians.

Program details:
📅 Bonus Dates: 7–10 April
⏰ Time: 9:00am – 12:00pm each day
📍 Location: Chifley Health and Wellbeing Hub

With our small group format, spots are strictly limited – book now to avoid missing out (again)! https://www.trybooking.com/DJFLP

Check out the menu below 👇
✨ Day 1 is specially designed to be gluten-free, making it suitable for children with coeliac disease.

16/03/2026

We had a terrific time last weekend at the Yerrabi Yurwang Child and Family Aboriginal Corporation .
It is wonderful to be part of this community gathering that brings families, services and local organisations together in a beautiful welcoming space to connect with culture, stories and history. 🪃
Our University of Canberra dietitian students joined in on the fun helping children explore the joy of food with some foodie games🥬🍅. We also got to meet Hephner the Alpaca! 🦙

28/02/2026

The ACT has strong policy ambition for children, but the latest data from the Australian Early Development Census shows outcomes are moving in the wrong direction.
With nearly one in three ACT children developmentally vulnerable or at risk, the need for early, coordinated nutrition support has never been clearer.
Nutrition during the first 1000 days shapes physical health, brain development and lifelong wellbeing. Yet families and early childhood services are navigating a fragmented system without a central point of support.
This is why the ACT Nutrition Support Service is calling for an ACT Government-funded Early Childhood Nutrition Hub to bridge the gap between evidence, policy and practice.

Read the latest piece from Region Canberra discussing the issue here:
https://region.com.au/act-childrens-lagging-physical-health-and-wellbeing-fuels-calls-for-early-childhood-nutrition-hub/941912/

Early Childhood Australia
Perinatal Wellbeing Centre
Dietitians Australia
ACT Government Health and Community Services

Nutrition Australia ACT is leading the call for the Territory to set up an Early Childhood Nutrition Hub, stating there's…

20/02/2026

Nutrition in the first 1000 days plays a vital role in children’s physical health, brain development and lifelong wellbeing, yet the ACT lacks a coordinated and funded approach to early childhood nutrition.

We are calling for an Early Childhood Nutrition Hub in the 2026–27 ACT Budget to support families and early childhood education and care services with evidence-based nutrition programs.

Thanks HerCanberra for helping us raise awareness of the need for coordinated nutrition support at a critical time in childrens lives. Read the article here:
https://hercanberra.com.au/active/when-feeding-young-children-feels-harder-than-it-should/


ACT Government, ACT Government Health and Community Services Nutrition Australia, Dietitians Australia

For many Canberra parents, feeding a baby or toddler can be one of the most unexpected sources of stress in early parenthood.

16/02/2026

Last week, our CEO, Leanne Elliston, showcased the incredible outcomes of our, ACT Government Healthy Canberra Grant funded, Feeding Healthy Futures program at Dietitians Australia Nutrition and Dietetics Research Summit in Melbourne.
A terrific opportunity to share the great work we are achieving in the ACT.

Now that the grant funding has finished, we are seeking continuation of this impactful program as part of our 2026/27 ACT Budget Submission.



ACT Government Health and Community Services
Nutrition Australia

16/02/2026

Great to be part of this terrific campaign and see the momentum build over the years. Useful and practical resources can be accessed all year round. www.lunchboxweek.org

10/02/2026

Yesterday, our CEO Leanne Elliston, spoke with ABC Canberra Radio about why investing in early years nutrition is so important for children and families.

The latest Australian Early Development Census results are concerning. They show that the ACT ranks second-lowest nationally for children’s physical health and wellbeing, with 31.2% of children identified as developmentally vulnerable or at risk, compared with 21.8% nationally.

In our 2026-27 ACT Budget Submission, we’re calling for an ACT Government funded Early Childhood Nutrition Hub to support families and Early Childhood Education and Care services with coordinated, evidence-based nutrition programs that support children’s health and development from the start.

🎧 Listen to the ABC Radio Canberra interview here: https://actnss.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/9.2.26-driveabclisten.mp3



Nutrition Australia
Dietitians Australia
Early Childhood Australia

03/12/2025

Great to reconnect with our ACT canteens at yesterday’s Canteen Connect gathering and reflect on insights from our first full year of canteen reviews since 2021.

In line with the ACT Public School Food and Drink Policy, we visited all 69 operating canteens across the ACT representing 73% of all public schools with a canteen.

After a four-year gap without funded support or formal menu reviews, we’ve seen an increase in RED classified items (mostly processed meats and baked goods). We found 49% of all menu items were rated GREEN, with favourites like fresh fruit cups, pikelets and canteen-made bolognese leading the way.

These findings highlight just how valuable on-site visits are. They help us understand what’s really happening beyond the online menu and allow us to tailor support for canteen operators.

We’re excited to keep working with ACT Government and continue supporting school canteens into 2026 and beyond! 🍎🤝



ACT Parents
ACT Public Schools
Federation of Canteens in Schools - FOCIS
Nutrition Australia