Media release
29th March 2010
School canteens given a ‘green’ makeover
VICTORIAN school canteens will be given a ‘green’ makeover this week, with the help of
the ‘Go for your life’ Canteens Advisory Service workshops, which will feature sessions
delivered by Dairy Australia.
Canteen managers, volunteers, school staff, parents and external caterers
will attend
interactive workshops designed to support schools in ‘greening’ up their canteen menu in
line with the
Department of Education and Early Childhood
Development’s School
Canteens and Other School Food Services Policy.
Dairy Australia will host three free sessions, which will provide practical tips for marketing
canteens and planning a successful theme day.
Glenys Zucco, Dietitian, Dairy Australia, says, “School canteens play a critical role in
educating students to make healthy food choices,
and theme days are a fun and novel
way of doing this.
“Our sessions will provide canteen staff with plenty of ideas and advice on planning a
successful theme day such as linking in with school curriculum to name the event, naming
menu items, and promoting the theme day to kids and parents.”
Some of the yummy themed menu items Dairy Australia will suggest include Pinocchio's
Nose Dip, Witches Yogurt Brew and Cinderellas Pumpkin Bread Carriage.
Ms Zucco hopes the sessions will inspire attendees to go back to their canteens and use
theme days as a great way to trial new, healthy items and expose students to foods they
are not eating enough of.
“As a dietitian, it concerns me that in the latest Children’s National Nutrition Survey (2007)
many kids were missing out on important nutrients, with calcium being the most common
nutrient deficiency in Australian children.
“School is an ideal place to teach children how to make healthy choices. Canteen staff can
make a difference to students’ health by filling the menu with calcium-rich products such
as milk, cheese and yogurt.”
For more information or to arrange an interview with Megan Alsford please contact
Nutrition Australia on 0402 140 639
NOTE: Workshops will run from 9.00am to 3.30pm at the following locations and media
are invited to attend for interviews and photo opportunities:
Collingwood College, cnr Cromwell St & McCutcheon Way, Collingwood – Monday 29
March
St. Bernard's College, 41 Rosehill Road, Essendon – Tuesday 30 March
Chisholm Institute, 121 Stud Road, Dandenong – Wednesday 31 March
Photo opportunities:
Cooking demonstrations
Canteen services trade displays
NEWS 
