The Tasmanian School Canteen Association Inc. has been working in partnership with state government health and education agencies, local government, parent bodies and Eat Well Tasmania to develop and implement a Cool Canteen Accreditation Program (Cool CAP) since 2000. All Tasmanian primary, secondary and college canteens of all education systems are eligible to participate.

9.1 What is the Cool Canteen Accreditation Program (Cool CAP)?

The Cool Canteen Accreditation Program (Cool CAP) is a school canteen improvement program which offers a model of best practice for canteen management as a whole as well as recognition of a school’s dedication to the health and wellbeing of the school community. It provides reassurance for the wider school community that the canteen aims to provide high quality and safe food service for students and staff.

The Cool Canteen Accreditation Program (Cool CAP) is a self assessment program which enables schools to develop health promoting canteens which meet the guidelines of The Tasmanian School Canteen Handbook.

9.2 Why have it?

There is local and international evidence that major diet-related factors for chronic disease begin in childhood. Refer to section 6.

The school canteen provides children and adolescents with the opportunity to select their own meals. Depending on how many purchases they make, this could make an important contribution to their views about food and their nutrient intake. Most children have formed life-long eating habits by the time they leave secondary school.

Nutrition education programs have been shown to have greater effect on behaviour change when school canteens reflect the messages being taught in the classroom.

Of the schools that operate canteens, two thirds open five-days-a-week, with the majority of food being sold at recess and lunchtime. It is estimated that 25% of students purchase food from the canteen on a daily basis and therefore food from the canteen provides a significant amount of the daily nutrition intake for these students.

9.3 How does it work?

To achieve accreditation, schools need to meet standards in five areas:

• canteen guidelines and procedures
• food safety and the canteen
• food and the canteen
• classroom links and the canteen
• marketing the canteen.

The school canteens accredited will demonstrate the provision of a wide variety of nutritionally preferred food choices, a well-managed business under the direction of a representative canteen committee and a comprehensive policy. They are also required to implement marketing and promotional strategies which link canteen and school as part of a health promoting school.

Working with your local council

Accreditation also offers canteens the opportunity to work with local council environmental health officers to meet the requirements of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. School canteens are now classified as food premises and as such need to be registered with local councils.

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9.4 How can it be achieved?

• Register your school’s interest in Cool CAP by contacting the TSCA phone 6223 8023
• Gain support of whole school community to commit to the process
• Form a canteen committee
• Organise for the Cool CAP Project Officer to visit with the canteen committee
• Commence self assessment using the Cool Canteen Accreditation Program (Cool CAP) Kit
• Work with Cool CAP Project Officer towards accreditation
• On completion of the Cool CAP application apply for accreditation
• Your school’s application is assess by Cool CAP staff
• Presentation of your schools’ Cool CAP Award
• Continue to implement the Cool CAP process
  

9.5 What are the rewards?

• Framed Certificate of Award
• Monetary rewards $100 Bronze, $150 Silver, $200 Gold
• Public recognition of canteen and school’s achievement
• Resource materials.

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