'Go for your life' Healthy Canteen Kit

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Food Categories

Food from everyday category

Foods and drinks have been classified into the following three categories according to their nutritional value. To promote healthy eating, schools should provide foods and drinks according to these categories:

There are also some foods and drinks that have been identified as not suitable to be supplied through school food services.

High sugar content drinks were banned though school food services in 2007.  This included energy drinks and flavoured mineral waters with high sugar content.

In response to concerns from parents and schools on the issue of healthy eating, the sale of confectionery through school food services was phased out in 2009.

Confectionery is of minimal nutritional value and high in kilojoules. From 2009, no confectionery is permitted to be supplied through school food services.

For an explanation of what foods are considered to be confectionery refer to the School Confectionery Guidelines

The Three Food Categories

Everyday Food Category
food from everyday category

Foods and drinks in the Everyday category are most suitable for school food services.

Schools should:

  • encourage and promote these foods
  • provide a wide range of these foods every day
  • include as the main choices on the canteen menu
  • promote these foods as tasty, fresh and good value choices
  • present these foods in attractive and interesting ways include as the main choices at school events and activities involving food.
Select Carefully Food Category
food from select carefully category

Foods and drinks in the Select Carefully category contain some valuable nutrients, but may also include unhealthy ingredients.

Schools should:

  • not let these foods and drinks dominate the canteen menu
  • serve in smaller sizes
  • limit selling times.
Occasionally Food Category
food from occasionally category

Foods and drinks in the Occasionally category are not recommended for school food services.

These foods and drinks:

  • should not be on the regular canteen menu
  • should be supplied on no more than two occasions per term
  • should not be regularly available in other areas of the school such as vending machines.

More information

For more information about types of foods commonly sold in school canteens and where they fit into the food categories view the Food Guide Tables (PDF - 328Kb) from the Healthy Canteen Kit – Food Planner.

To view the food planner as a complete document, Download Healthy Canteen Kit