ACT Nutrition Support Service

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

17/10/2025

Should Australia follow England’s lead and ban supermarket junk food specials? 🛒🤔

That was the question put to ABC Canberra listeners today, after England’s recent decision to stop multi-buy and “buy one, get one free” deals on unhealthy foods and drinks.

Our CEO, Leanne Elliston, had a great chat with ABC Canberra this morning about whether a ban like this could help, and what else we can do to make nourishing food more affordable and accessible for everyone.

🎧 Listen to the interview here:
https://nutritionaustralia.org/app/uploads/2025/10/morningsabclisten17.10.25.mp3

And the poll results? More than 70% of Canberrans said YES — Australia should follow England’s lead! 👏

14/10/2025

Join us in celebrating our 41st National Nutrition Week!

While our campaign messaging has evolved since our first campaign in 1984, our passion for celebrating nutritious food is as strong today as it was back then.

This year we are celebrating the many ways that people, families, communities and organisations across the country can be connected and nourished through food.

08/10/2025

30/09/2025

Cooking fun, a little mayhem, and plenty of joy have returned to our kitchen these school holidays! 🎉
This week we kicked off our youth cooking program with , and our brand-new donna hay inspired rice ball recipe was an absolute hit.✨
Paired with a sweet chilli yogurt dip, it was the perfect flavour combo - topped off with a little berry parfait for dessert. Yum!
We love seeing young people connect with food, develop practical skills, and discover the joy of cooking together.

07/09/2025

Our holiday cooking classes are the perfect way for children to build kitchen skills, make new friends, and discover the joy of cooking.

Guided by our food-loving dietitians, children will:
- Learn knife skills, food safety & a variety of cooking methods
- Prepare two delicious dishes from our recipe collection
- Take home the Spring Edition of our Kids Cooking Cookbook!

📍 For children aged 8–12 years
📆 Tuesday 7 – Friday 10 October 2025
🕘 9:00am – 12:00 noon
💲 $80 per session (GST included)

Early bird offer: Book before midnight 14 September and receive 10% discount!

Book online now:
https://www.trybooking.com/DEXCZ

14/08/2025

Last night our CEO Leanne Elliston joined Woden Community Service canteen lead Jacqui Gowan and Principal Dan Sprange from Russell Lea Public School on ABC Australia Nightlife chatting all things canteens.
Whilst venturing down the nostalgic path of canteens, we also discussed current challenges, benefits and what the future of food in schools could look like.

Listen to the Podcast here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/nightlife/school-canteens-and-tuck-shops/105650218

Nutrition Australia, Federation of Canteens in Schools - FOCIS,

School canteen memories remain with us for a lifetime. Hot pies, sausage rolls, custard tarts and an ache in the belly afterwards, until you ran it off at lunchtime.