Partners and links

Government policy/guidelines

There are a number of different government canteen policy/guidelines across Australian States and Territories. However, there are a number of synergies as they are each based on the Australian Dietary Guidelines (2013). With the exception of New South Wales, all jurisdictions use a traffic light system to categorise food and drinks.

The policy/guidelines are reviewed regularly by policy owners including the Departments of Health and Education.

Below you will find a link to each State and Territory’s policy/guidelines.

Australian Capital Territory

Canteen Associations and Networks

Most jurisdictions also have organisations who support to school canteens to help implement policy/guidelines.

FOCIS recognises the important role of Canteen Associations and Networks and aims to advocate for greater effectiveness and efficiency based on collaboration.

FOCIS member Association and networks include

Healthy Eating Advisory Service (Victoria)

South Australian School Canteen Network

Western Australian School Canteen Association

Partners and links

FOCIS has partnerships with those that aim to support, promote, facilitate and empower school communities. We also acknowledged that finding reliable food and nutrition information on the internet can be tricky. FOCIS recommends seeking further advice from the following sources:

Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia

Australian Dietary Guidelines

Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy

Diabetes Australia

Environmental Health Australia

Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ)

Heart Foundation

LiveLighter

Nutrition Australia

Stephanie Alexander Kitchener Garden Foundation

News and Events

FOCIS Annual General Meeting

Friday 10 December 2021 10.00am EST.
For further information including the teleconference details contact focis@aapt.net.au. .

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.