Located in the Macedon Ranges in Central Victoria, Kyneton Primary School has made its canteen the meeting place for food, inclusion and connection. With support from Vic Kids Eat Well and Health Promoter, Kylie Stafford from Omnia Community Health, the school’s canteen manager Sarah Lockhart has worked with students to drive a positive shift towards delicious and veggie-packed options.
Sarah serves close to 200 meals at the canteen each week. Through this, she has built a strong link with the school community, encouraging family members to share recipe ideas for the menu.
“As a parent at the school, connecting with other families helps me understand what their kids want to eat. I then look to bring those recipes into the canteen,” she said.
As part of Vic Kids Eat Well, Sarah introduced delicious veggie options to the menu including:
- Veggie-filled pasta bolognese
- Lentil dahl with secret veggies
- Homemade baked beans with chopped spinach, celery and carrot
- Homemade seasonal soups like pumpkin, potato and leek
- “Purple power” and “green power” icy poles made with vegetable juice
Sarah said giving the kids a say has helped improve the popularity of new healthy options. She regularly invites students to share ideas through a suggestion box at the canteen window and name new menu items.
“We introduced a healthy milk pop made with Greek yoghurt, milk and fruit. The students proudly named it Cheeky Raz Nana and loved ordering it.”
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“Students want to feel included and like they’re part of the process. When it is their idea, they’re more likely to try something new,” she said.
Sarah said the students also suggested seasonal fruit options that can be turned into frozen smoothies.
“Our Yogurt Yummies, made with Greek yoghurt, a dash of milk, apple puree and cinnamon came about as Year 5 student said it smelled and tasted like Christmas,” she said.
Reducing the price of nutritious options and promoting them to students has helped to boost their popularity.
“Parents love what we're doing by trying to make small changes and engaging with the children.
“My aim each week is just for one or two kids to try something different that’s healthier. If I’ve done that, I feel I’ve done a good service,” she said.
Support that makes a difference
Health Promoter Kylie Stafford has been a key support in the school’s journey, helping Sarah access equipment for the canteen, like large cooking pots for making soups, and offering advice on healthy options.
Kylie said Sarah is a leader within the whole school community and champions tasty and nutritious options for students.
“To progress through Vic Kids Eat Well, we caught-up in person at the school to discuss ideas, review progress and to plan next steps for the canteen changes," she said.
Sarah said the support offered by Kylie has given her the confidence to try new menu items.
“It’s been great to have someone to bounce ideas off," she said.
Building a culture of change
The impact goes beyond the menu. Teachers have noticed more positive interactions at the canteen and students increasingly choosing nutritious options.
“The kids don't just come up to the canteen, they hang out and have a chat. Some have brought in recipes from their grandparents which is very heartwarming. Also, graduating students come back and comment that they miss the canteen.”
“It takes time but slowly we’re shifting our culture,” Sarah said.
Sarah advises other schools to start small when introducing healthy options to their canteen menu.
“It's just about small steps to bring people along on the journey. Trial colourful menu items as specials. Talk to the kids. Prompt them with ideas and let them feel like they’re part of it. That’s how we build a community around food,” she said.