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

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.