While many have already wiped the old cream bun and sausage roll combination from their menu, the NSW Healthy School Canteen Strategy is making sure they never make a return. 

The NSW government strategy will ensure all government schools will have canteen menus that are in line with the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating by 2019. 

Around 30 people, including canteen managers, principals, health professionals and parents attended a workshop at Leeton Public School last week to discuss the strategy and how it should implemented. 

Murrumbidgee Local Health District health promotion officer Michelle Del Guzzo said it was more important than ever for children to be eating correctly not just at home, but also at school. 

“One in five NSW children are above healthy weight,” she said.

“Schools, including canteens,  help shape a child and their community.

“They can be great agents for change.”

Sugary drinks and energy drinks are off the list, but canteens are being urged to get more creative with their menus. 

Ideas include honey soy chicken and fried rice, lean mince balls and salsa, veggie pizza, beef stir fry noodles and lean chicken burgers. 

Parkview Public School’s canteen manager Niomi McKellar has been implementing the strategy for some time after originally starting out with a healthy eating plan for students. 

The school is now a leader for “early adoption” of the strategy in NSW. 

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“It’s something we were really already doing,” Ms McKellar said. 

“We officially started the strategy in fourth term last year. Basically we just had to changed things like our crumbed chicken to grilled chicken … that kind of stuff. 

“We haven’t told the kids that we’ve changed the menu, so they haven’t really noticed as much. No one has complained.

“We’ve had to say some of things aren’t available, but they don’t seem to mind.”