Healthy eating is important for normal growth and development throughout childhood and adolescence. School canteens are an integral part of the school environment and complement the important role of parents in the provision and promotion of healthy food to children. School canteens also present an opportunity to support healthy eating messages promoted in the classroom.

The National Healthy School Canteens Project will develop a uniform approach for classifying foods and training canteen staff in the delivery of healthy choices in the school canteen. Stakeholder input is welcome throughout the project and all interested parties are encouraged to take part in the consultations. As state and territory governments provide guidance to schools regarding the operation of school canteens, their contribution to guiding the implementation of this project will be especially important. We look forward to working with our state and territory counterparts and Flinders University.

Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing

• Do you have a keen interest in the food provided to school children through school canteens?
• Would you like to contribute your thoughts on what food and drinks should be made available in school canteens?

If yes, the Project Team would like you to be involved.

Over the next two years, public focus groups and consultations will be held across Australia in both urban and rural areas to encourage discussion and input, as well as to inform the community about the project. All interested parties are invited to attend these focus groups and consultations. You can register your interest to attend via the 'register' link at the bottom of this page. If you are unable to attend a scheduled focus group or consultation, we welcome your submissions and comments via post, e-mails and this website.