In response to the need for a concerted effort to prioritise the health and well-being of Australian school children, The Federation of Canteens in Schools (FOCIS) and many stakeholders working in the sector united for the first National School Network Meeting of 2024.
Leanne Elliston, FOCIS Chairperson said that fantastic things were happening in each of the jurisdictions across the country, from members working with canteens in low socio-economic areas to incorporating fruit breaks to school children in regional areas opening and operating their very own school canteens offering to offering to healthy options to their peers.
Each state and territory has differing policies to help parents and children identify healthier options, and while food audits and traffic light systems help; sustainable long-term change can only succeed through a whole-school approach that incorporates the broader community and involves students, parents, and teachers in the process.
“It is really important FOCIS provides a platform for unified discussion and a collaborative approach to the escalating challenges posed by childhood obesity, nutritional disparities, economic factors, and the overall well-being of our young generation.”
“The mission of FOCIS and canteen associations, networks, and its members is to share knowledge, deliver program updates, and start discussions around current trends, research, and what we can do together to meet the broader needs of young children and school canteen operators,” added Elliston.
“The movement to gravitate towards wholesome and nutritious meal options isn’t a quick one, especially when we are up against the marketing might of multi-national food companies with million-dollar campaigns.”
The meeting also featured a discussion on the need for a centralised database of how many school canteens are operating in the country, and the current limitations on transparency when it comes to school canteen menus.
Key rationales for the unified approach include:
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Menchie Khairuddin is a writer Deputy Content Manager at Akolade and content producer for Third Sector News. She is passionate about social affairs specifically in mixed, multicultural heritage and not-for-profit organisations.