The Project
The National Healthy School Canteens Project (NHSCP) is part of the Australian Better Health Initiative (ABHI) implementation plan, endorsed by Australian Health Ministers in 2006. ABHI aims to promote good health and reduce the burden of chronic diseases. The NHSCP is managed by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, and will be undertaken by Flinders Partners in partnership with Flinders University from April 2008 to April 2010.
The NHSCP will assist nationwide school canteens to provide healthy food choices, and as a consequence, promote good health through healthy eating.
The NHSCP consists of three components:
- Component A: Food Categorisation System
- Component B: National Training Resources
- Component C: Evaluation Framework
Component A: Food Categorisation System
A national food categorisation system will be developed for school canteens based on a set of nutrient criteria. The food categorisation system will provide an evidence-based guide to the selection of food and beverages for sale within school canteens. The system will build on existing healthy school canteen initiatives and take into consideration macro and micro nutrients, portion size, food additives, allergies, cultural sensitivities, availability and environmental issues.
Component B: National Training Resources
Training resources will be developed for use by the states and territories to enable canteen managers, school staff and volunteers to implement the food categorisation system.
Component C: Evaluation Framework
An evaluation framework suitable for use by the states and territories will be developed including both qualitative and quantitative tools. The framework will evaluate the implementation of the food categorisation system, training program and resources.