Welcome to FOCIS

Welcome to the Home Page for the Federation of Canteens in Schools Inc, trading as FOCIS Inc and thank you for your interest in healthy school canteens.

FOCIS, established in 1992, is a not-for-profit charity representing school canteens in Australia. As a peak body working with State and Territory Canteen Associations and Networks we believe school canteens are an integral part of the learning environment and play an important role in health promotion.

FOCIS aims to support, promote, facilitate and empower school communities, State and Territory Canteen Associations and Networks, food industry and government to enable stakeholders to make decisions that result in healthy food services.

The FOCIS website acts as a conduit between School Canteen Associations and Networks, canteens in schools and community groups and the food industry. We are pleased to cover contemporary issues in the food service industry and have a range of resources, fact sheets and position statements to support the provision of healthy foods.

The FOCIS Product Registration program and Nutrient Criteria was first developed in 1998 and is reviewed every three years. The current FOCIS Nutrient Criteria is based on the National Healthy School Canteen Guidelines, Australia Dietary Guidelines and products are colour coded according to the traffic light system.

See the Product Registration page for all the details about the program, and to search for canteen approved products. A PDF version of the January 2020 FOCIS Buyers Guide is also available to download.

News and Events

Indigenous fishing venture tackiling food insecurity

Nutritious and affordable food is hard to come by in the remote community of Maningrida in West Arnhem Land, Northern Territory. See how a local group are dealing with the issue. Read the full article here

FOCIS Annual General Meeting

Friday 2 October 2020 9.00am EST.
For further information including the teleconference details see the Agenda or contact focis@aapt.net.au

To join see the Membership Form

Review of the Australian Dietary Guidelines Announced

FOCIS welcomes the Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt announcement on Friday 17 July that the Australian Government will provide $2.5 million to the National Health and Medical Research Council to review the 2013 Australian Dietary Guidelines. The review of the Guidelines will ensure that Government dietary advice is based on the best and most recent scientific evidence about the types and amount of food we need to have a long and healthy life. Minister Hunt said the review would ensure the Guidelines remained a trusted resource.

FOCIS looks forward to contributing to the public health response to ensure Australian school canteens are provided with the most up-to-date advice on food nutrition to support healthy eating.

COVID-19
The Federation of Canteens In Schools (FOCIS) recognises the public concern regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the potential impact on our community, including schools. COVID-19 presents an unprecedented situation requiring a unified and collaborative response from government and the community.

FOCIS reminds all canteens, cafeterias and tuckshops to ensure appropriate hand washing procedures are in place and followed by all staff and volunteers.

We encourage you to visit Department of Health website for up-to-date information to assist you in monitoring this situation. The website also has a range of useful resources e.g. print ad promoting good hand washing practices to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

January 2020 FOCiS Buyers Guide!

The FOCiS Buyer's Guide is the go to tool for healthy canteens in Australia. Download your copy now and check out the registered food and drink manufacturers supporting school canteens.

FOCIS Annual General Meeting

Thursday 5 December 3.30pm EST. For further information including the teleconference details see the Agenda or contact focis@aapt.net.au

FOCIS General Meeting and Governance training

Saturday 14 September, Tasmania. For further information contact focis@aapt.net.au

Capture Your Canteen - Competition for Victorian schools

The Healthy Eating Advisory Service is launching ‘Capture Your Canteen’ – a new competition for Victorian schools to showcase how they provide and promote healthy food and drinks in their canteens.
If you would like to learn more and support this competition (if appropriate) then you can find out more in this stakeholder promotion kit
All Victorian schools are eligible to enter. The major prize is $500 to spend on healthy eating. PLUS 12 runner up prizes of Stephanie Alexander’s Kitchen Garden Cooking with Kids cookbook, signed by Stephanie herself!
All you need to do is simply capture photos of how you promote healthy foods and drinks in your school canteen!

FOCiS welcomes release of report

The 2019 Food Policy Index Progress update has been released and continues to call for further investment in children's health and school canteens. FOCiS is committed to working in partnership with all states and territories to advocate for healthy food environments in schools.

November 2018 FOCiS Buyers Guide!

The FOCiS Buyer's Guide is the go to tool for healthy canteens in Australia. Download your copy now and check out the registered food and drink manufacturers supporting school canteens.

Fact Sheets and Position Statements

FOCiS has developed a suite of fact sheets and position statements that cover topics such as 'Make money not waste' and 'Sweeteners', check them out today.