ACT Nutrition Support Service

30/05/2026

Proud moment sharing the outcomes of our impressive FEED program at the ACT Allied Health Symposium this week.
This program exemplifies the power of Allied Health working together improving the health and developmental outcomes of children and young people with selective eating behaviour. A collaboration of Dietetics, Occupational Tharapy and Play Therapy all wrapped up in one impressive program funded by ACT Government Health and Community Services Health Promotion Grants Program.

Whilst funding for this pilot program has finished, the need and demand in the community among families continues rise. Being the not-for-profit, equity driven organisation that we are, we feel programs such as FEED, with demonstrated outcomes, deserve ongoing Government support. We eagerly await the upcoming ACT Government 2026/27 budget release to find out if this program will be backed by government investment.

Check out our FEED poster here:https://actnss.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Fuelling-Everybody-Every-Day-POSTER.pdf

Nutrition Australia

29/05/2026

Attention teachers! Help us improve food and nutrition messaging in schools. There's still time to take part in this important National survey.

A/Prof Gabriella Heruc and the research team at Western Sydney University and University of Newcastle are inviting Australian primary and high school teachers to participate in an online voluntary survey (15 minutes) exploring confidence and attitudes towards delivering food and nutrition messaging. Findings will inform future recommendations on how we can improve food and nutrition messaging in schools.

For more information and to participate, head to: https://tinyurl.com/SHiNE-Teacher-Survey

Feel free to share among your teacher networks.

16/05/2026

Congratulations to our CEO Leanne Elliston, presented with the Culinary Nutrition Award at the Dietitians Australia ACT Branch event last night. A terrific evening that recognised the incredible work of our Canberra dietitians.
Happy

13/05/2026

06/05/2026

Food in schools has played a big part of this week as our CEO Leanne Elliston and dietitian Cara Cook attended the inaugural School Food Summit in Hobart. Such an important opportunity for leaders, researchers and schools to come together to share, learn and collaborate on how we can work together towards a nationwide school meal program.

It was also very timely to see Shane Rattenbury MLA raise an important question in the ACT Legislative Assembly questioning the nutritional quality of certain products being provided by our ACT Government to the five schools taking part in the ACT Meals in Schools program.

Whilst we 100% support this program we encourage the ACT Government to take due responsibility of ensuring nourishing foods are provided rather than highly processed, sugar laden cereal bars that offer little nutritional benefit for learning minds.

Yesterday, Leanne Elliston was interviewed by Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Canberra Radio on this matter.
Listen to the interview here: https://actnss.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ABC-Radio-6.5.26.mp3

Federation of Canteens in Schools - FOCIS
Nutrition Australia

30/04/2026

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/

18/04/2026

Last week we wrapped up three years of school holiday cooking classes with multicultural young people, delivered in partnership with MARSS - Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services, through an ACT Government Health and Community Services Healthy Canberra grant.

It’s been a privilege to cook with such enthusiastic teens as they explored, prepared, harvested and tasted their way through recipes from around the world 🌏. From building practical skills to creating bold flavour combos (where too much chilli is never enough 🌶️), they’ve embraced every moment and stepped outside their comfort zones.

Just as importantly, we’ve learned from them. Each session has been rich with cultural exchange - stories, languages and traditions shared through a common connection: food.

This is what community nutrition in action looks like. Building skills, confidence and connection through the joy of food 💛



Nutrition Australia
ACT Government

15/04/2026

📣 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!

11/04/2026

This week our CEO, Leanne Elliston, met with ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith MLA to talk about the urgent need for stronger nutrition support in early childhood.

The first 1,000 days of life are so important for a child’s growth, brain development and lifelong health. Investing in nutrition during this period is fundamental for children's health and reducing the burden of chronic disease on the health system.

As part of the ACT 2026–27 Budget, we are calling for investment in an Early Childhood Nutrition Hub. This initiative would deliver evidence-based, community-focused programs to support Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services and families, helping give every child the best possible start in life.

View our budget submission here:https://www.treasury.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/2994105/18.-Nutrition-Australia-ACT-Incorporated.pdf

ACT Government Health and Community Services
Nutrition Australia

03/12/2025

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