Fresh Tastes Tool Kit - Public Schools NSW

DEVELOPING ACTIONS & ALTERNATIVES cont...
Moving to a Fresh Tastes canteen
menu
Moving to a Fresh Tastes canteen menu can be done in
different ways. Options are outlined below.
Close the canteen for a short period of time and
reopen with a new menu selection for the students
and staff.The time chosen could be at the end of a
school term or at the end of the school year.This can
work well particularly if it is supported with strong
classroom links, promotion and good communication
with the whole school community.
‘RED’ foods are phased out and healthier choices
brought into the menu to replace them eg soft drinks
CASE STUDY
School:
Keira Technology
High School
A great initiative at Keira Technology
High was the replacement of vending machines
containing soft drinks and confectionery with
two different vending machines, one containing
only water and the other a variety of flavoured
milks and juices. Soft drinks are no longer sold
on school premises.
The canteen manager reports that initially profits
decreased, however the students have adjusted their
buying practices and choose water, juice and milk
instead of soft drinks. During warmer weather
600 bottles of water were being sold from the
vending machine each week.This is almost up to
the level of soft drinks sold in previous years.
Profits are good on bottled water.
More healthy food options are offered on the
menu. Good sellers include:
■ toasted chicken and sweet chilli sauce wraps
■ chicken burgers
■ cheese burgers
■ salad rolls and wraps
■ freshly made fruit salad
■ macaroni cheese.
are replaced with reduced fat, flavoured milk alternatives
and bottled water, standard pies are replaced with
reduced fat alternatives of a reasonable serve size.There is
no need for a ‘one for one’ replacement for all items that
are phased out.This may be the opportunity to
streamline the canteen menu.
If the committee decides to use the phased approach to
changing the menu the Phasing in New Foods template on
page 27 can be used to guide and record decisions.
See Appendix 3 on page 57 for further information on
food and drink alternatives.
Bring new choices into the menu and promote
these well. Phase out foods once the new products are
selling well.
CASE STUDY
School: Marist Brothers
Parramatta
A decision was made to
introduce only healthier options
into the school canteen.
The canteen closed at the end of term 1 and opened
in term 2 with a new layout and menu.The new
canteen is self service and the boys have the options
of sandwiches, focaccias, salads, fruit salads, reduced
fat hot dogs, burgers, milks, juices, water, popcorn,
muesli bars, cereals, fruit juice and slushees (served in
moderate sized cups).These are paid for at cash
registers once selections have been made.
DEVELOPING ACTIONS & ALTERNATIVES
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