ACT Nutrition Support Service

The latest National Child Health Poll from The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne has revealed two in five teens (41%) cannot cook a basic meal but most (65%) want to learn how.
This finding led our ACT Senior Dietitian, Leanne Elliston, into the ABC Canberra studio today to talk about why cooking skills really matter. 🎙️
Being able to cook a basic meal from scratch is linked to better nutrition, helps build independence, and reduces reliance on convenience and takeaway foods. This life‑long skill does more than nourish, it also brings connection, enjoyment, and shared experiences with the people around us.
Greater efforts are needed to support families and young people to learn these essential skills. That means saving school cooking classes and supporting community initiatives that help children enjoy and learn how to cook.

🎧 Listen to the interview here: https://nutritionaustralia.org/app/uploads/2026/04/ABC-Radio-30.4.26.mp3

🔗Access the Health Poll report here: https://rchpoll.org.au/polls/teens-and-food-do-they-know-the-facts/

📣 Attention School Professionals - Register your interest! Food and nutrition messaging in schools.

Safe nutrition messaging in schools can have a huge impact on children's relationship with food. That's why we are working together with A/Prof Gabriella Heruc's research team at Western Sydney University and The University of Newcastle, Australia as part of the Supporting Healthful Initiatives in Nutrition Education (SHINE) project.

The project team are currently recruiting school professionals (e.g., teachers, canteen staff, principal, school counsellors/psychologist) to provide feedback on a draft version of the school food and nutrition messaging guidelines in a one-off online session (1.5 hours).
Your feedback will help ensure the guidelines are relevant, clear, and acceptable to the people they are designed to support.
🔗 To learn more and register your interest: tinyurl.com/FGA-Guidelines
Please share with anyone who may be interested!

Great to reconnect with our ACT canteens at yesterday’s Canteen Connect gathering and reflect on insights from our first full year of canteen reviews since 2021.

In line with the ACT Public School Food and Drink Policy, we visited all 69 operating canteens across the ACT representing 73% of all public schools with a canteen.

After a four-year gap without funded support or formal menu reviews, we’ve seen an increase in RED classified items (mostly processed meats and baked goods). We found 49% of all menu items were rated GREEN, with favourites like fresh fruit cups, pikelets and canteen-made bolognese leading the way.

These findings highlight just how valuable on-site visits are. They help us understand what’s really happening beyond the online menu and allow us to tailor support for canteen operators.

We’re excited to keep working with ACT Government and continue supporting school canteens into 2026 and beyond! 🍎🤝



ACT Parents
ACT Public Schools
Federation of Canteens in Schools - FOCIS
Nutrition Australia