ACT Nutrition Support Service

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

09/02/2026

It's National Lunchbox Week!

This week is all about supporting enjoyable and nourishing lunchboxes for all!

From the staple sandwich to creative food combos, every lunchbox is different. 🥪🍱

supports families, schools, early childhood settings, and communities through practical tips and ideas to suit all families.

Visit our website for all of your go-to lunchbox tips, recipes and and more: https://www.lunchboxweek.org

06/02/2026

31/01/2026

Nothing like starting the year with school holiday cooking! 🌮🥟🍝

We’ve just wrapped up three weeks of food fun, curiosity, cooking, tasting and some pretty incredible skill-building along the way.

So rewarding to see kids growing in confidence, trying new foods and enjoying positive experiences in the kitchen 💛

17/01/2026

We love this piece on school meals in Japan.

16/01/2026

📣 We're excited to help share this free public lecture from the Canberra Mothercraft Society!
Join Dr Phillip Baker, a leading expert on ultra‑processed foods (UPFs) and early childhood nutrition, as he unpacks how products like sweetened purees, pouches, toddler snacks and ready‑to‑eat baby foods are becoming more common in young children’s diets— and what that means for their health.
He’ll also talk about the marketing and industry pressures shaping what ends up on our kids’ plates, and the changes needed to support healthier, more affordable options for families.

When: Wednesday 4 February at 6:00pm.
Where: National Film and Sound Archive

Book here: https://events.humanitix.com/2026-mary-kirk-fellowship-lecture-the-ultra-processing-of-infant-and-young-child-diets-in-australia-trends-commercial-determinants-and-policy-options-by-dr-phillip-baker

Ultra processed foods are increasingly shaping early nutrition, displacing breastfeeding and home-prepared complementary foods and undermining healthy diets.

07/01/2026

Australia can learn from other countries to introduce a universal free school lunch program that benefits children, families, local farmers and the planet.

Read more: https://theconversation.com/australia-needs-a-school-lunch-program-like-many-other-high-income-countries-270279

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

18/11/2025

Attention all Canberran Seniors!
We are exploring community interest in a new Seniors Cooking Program to be held at our Food Skills Kitchen in the Chifley Health Hub.
The classes aim to support healthy ageing, independence, and confidence through hands-on cooking sessions led by an Accredited Practising Dietitian.
Here’s what you can look forward to:
- Discover seasonal recipes that support wellbeing
- Build confidence and practical cooking skills
- Enjoy your creations with others
- Take home seasonal recipe book tailored for each program

🕘 90 minutes per class
📍 Nutrition Australia Food Skills Kitchen, Chifley Health Hub
👥 Small group – max 8 participants

We’re currently collecting Expressions of Interest to help shape the program — topics, timing, and class style will be based on what the community wants most.

💬 Please take a moment to share your thoughts by filling out our short survey:
🔗 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/B6Y3TKR

21/10/2025

Great to represent ACT at this meeting and share the terrific work supporting our Canberra school canteens.
ACT Government ACT

Today, FOCIS together with our hosts School Food Matters held our biannual National School Food Network meeting.

With representation from five states all providing an overview of food in schools and the relevant activities and services they provide it was a great platform for sharing.

Key challenges include:
- equitable infrastructure across all schools in their ability to procure, prepare and provide nourishing food for children
- the need to develop a national dashboard of school food access so we can ensure support is provided where it is needed most.

We look forward to celebrating School Canteen Day, Friday 7 November 2025.

19/10/2025

As we wrap up we are forever grateful for the incredible food and produce we can grow, cook and enjoy.
Canberra, it's time to get your veggie seeds and seedlings in the ground. 🌱

Let's wrap up National Nutrition Week 2025 by appreciating the journey of food from earth to plate.

Visit your local market, thank a farmer, compost food scraps, or cook with ingredients you’ve grown yourself.

Gratitude deepens our connection to what we eat and those around us.

Thank you for helping us celebrate our 41st National Nutrition Week!

Yours in being connected and nourished,
The Nutrition Australia team x

19/10/2025

Let's wrap up National Nutrition Week 2025 by appreciating the journey of food from earth to plate.

Visit your local market, thank a farmer, compost food scraps, or cook with ingredients you’ve grown yourself.

Gratitude deepens our connection to what we eat and those around us.

Thank you for helping us celebrate our 41st National Nutrition Week!

Yours in being connected and nourished,
The Nutrition Australia team x