Healthy Kids School Canteen Association

Infobox Non-profit
Non-profit_name = Healthy Kids
School Canteen Association
Non-profit_
Non-profit_type = Health Promotion Charity
founded_date = September 30, 1991
NSW, Australia
founder = 'Healthy School Canteens for NSW' November 1990 Forum [ [http://www.schoolcanteens.org.au/page/4/history History of the Healthy Kids School Canteen Association] ]
location_city =
location_country =
location = Sydney, Australia
area_served = New South Wales
origins =
key_people = Jo Gardner, "General Manager" [http://www.schoolcanteens.org.au/category/12/healthy-kids-staff Healthy Kids SCA Staff] ]
Gary Moore, Kim Dwyer, Anne Hills, Christine May, Mia Sadler, "Board of Directors" [http://www.schoolcanteens.org.au/page/18/board Healthy Kids SCA Board of Directors] ]
focus = Healthy Food in School Canteens
method = Advice, guidance, passing mandates
revenue =
num_volunteers = Approx. 1800 members
as of June 2007 [http://www.schoolcanteens.org.au/about-us About Us: Healthy Kids SCA] ]
owner =
Non-profit_slogan = Promoting and facilitating the provision of a nutritious and healthy food service in school canteens.
homepage = [http://www.healthy-kids.com.au/ www.healthy-kids.com.au]
dissolved =
footnotes =

Healthy Kids School Canteen Association (Healthy Kids SCA) is a not-for-profit, non-government, health promotion charity based in Sydney, Australia. The stated aim of the organisation is to: "“Promote and facilitate the provision of a nutritious and healthy food service in school canteens”" as a means of preventing diet related diseases in children at school and to lay the foundation for a healthy future [ [http://www.healthykids.nsw.gov.au/eating/ Healthy Eating] ] . The goals of Healthy Kids SCA encompass the entire health promoting school community. It is the primary source of advice and information on healthy food choices for 3,000 schools in NSW.


History

Established in 1991, Healthy Kids SCA is governed by a Board of Directors, including a Chair, with representation from the NSW Department of Health, the NSW Department of Education and Training, the food industry and four members elected in accordance with the Association’s constitution. The members of the Association are drawn from schools, health professionals, educators and organisations with an involvement in food services in schools. Development of the "Fresh Tastes @ School" NSW School Canteen Strategy has seen an increase in the number of schools becoming members and receiving information, advice and support on the operation of a healthy canteen.  As of June 2007, Healthy Kids SCA has 1800 members and is lead by General Manager Jo Gardner

Memberships

Memberships in Healthy Kids SCA confers a range of benefits [ [http://www.schoolcanteens.org.au/page/100/become-a-member Becoming a Member of Healthy Kids SCA] ] including:

* "The Healthy Kids SCA Members Magazine", published quarterly with case-studies of healthy canteens, nutritional information and canteen tips, promotional ideas, food safety and hygiene advice, classroom curriculum, healthy menu ideas, recipes and more.

* "Healthy Kids SCA Food Expo and Training Day" is held annually in Sydney with workshops, cooking demonstrations and samples of Healthy Kids registered products.

* "Healthy Kids SCA Support Line" offering free advice and encouragement about operating a healthy school canteen. Member Fact Sheets developed to assist canteens to operate effectively.

* "Healthy Kids SCA Buyers’ Guide", a comprehensive guide of products that have been registered with the 'Healthy Kids SCA and can be sold in school canteens. The Buyers' Guide is published annually in January, with a supplement published in July and distributed to most schools across the country.

* "Healthy Kids SCA Website" includes information about operating a healthy and successful school canteen including financial advice, recipes and the "Healthy Kids Occasional Food Calculator".

* "Healthy Kids SCA Online Blog" provides an forum for canteen managers and parents to discuss canteen issues, lunch boxes and recipes etc.

* "Healthy Kids Canteen Recognition Awards" acknowledge and reward the work undertaken for school communities by canteen managers and volunteers. 

Collaborations

Collaboration between Educating NZ and Healthy Kids SCA

The education consultancy group "Educating NZ" is collaborating with Healthy Kids SCA in a New Zealand Ministry of Health funded project to support the implementation of the Food and Beverage Classification System in schools and early childhood education services. [cite web
url= http://www.educating.co.nz/services/healthykids/
title= Collaboration between Educating NZ and Healthy Kids SCA; funded by Ministry of Health
accessdate= September 1
accessdaymonth=
accessmonthday=
accessyear= 2008
author= Educating NZ
year= 2008]

NSW Healthy School Canteen Strategy

In response to the 2002 Childhood Obesity Summit, former Premier of New South Wales Bob Carr launched the "Fresh Tastes NSW Healthy School Canteen Strategy". Healthy Kids SCA has become a key partner of the Ministry of Health in developing this plan. The strategy is to develop a taste for healthier foods by promoting and featuring healthier menu options while limiting the availability of less nutritious foods. [cite web
url= http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/obesity/adult/canteens.html
title= Press Release: Premier launches NSW Healthy School Canteen Strategy
accessdate= September 1
accessdaymonth=
accessmonthday=
accessyear= 2008
author= NSW Health: Child Obesity
date= 15
year= 2008
month= July]

Articles

Go For Your Life: Interactive Lunchbox: [http://www.goforyourlife.vic.gov.au/hav/articles.nsf/html/index.htm "www.goforyourlife.vic.gov.au/hav/articles.nsf/html/index.html"] NSW Government Tackles Childhood Obesity: [http://www.accessibility.com.au/news/nsw-government-tackles-childhood-obesity "www.accessibility.com.au/news/nsw-government-tackles-childhood-obesity"] Healthy Eating and Exercise Fact-sheet: [http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/factsheets/general/eat_exercise.html "www.health.nsw.gov.au/factsheets/general/eat_exercise.html"]

Healthy Kids Website: Activity Ideas: [http://www.healthykids.nsw.gov.au/topics/2101.html "www.healthykids.nsw.gov.au/topics/2101.html"] Healthy Kids Website: Healthy Eating: [http://www.healthykids.nsw.gov.au/eating/ "www.healthykids.nsw.gov.au/eating"]

References