Changing food in schools. Feeding a brighter future.

Our mission is for every Australian child to receive high-quality meals at school prepared in their canteen or school kitchen, regardless of their background or circumstance. 

We help schools serve up fresh, nutritious food that supports children’s wellbeing and learning, and embed this with great food education.

How can we help you today?

Momentum is building for better school food in Australia. Let’s think outside the lunchbox, and together advocate to transform the school food system!

Have your say!

What We Do

THE SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM

Our Pilot in Berrima PS, in NSW, has proven that serving an equitable and nutritious lunch that kids love is achievable.

Find out more

THE CANTEEN TRANSFORMATION

Through this program we train and empower schools to run fresh food operations and educate communities on the benefits of real food.

Find out more

Good nutrition changes lives

mental health icon

KIDS WHO EAT WELL AT SCHOOL
ACHIEVE BETTER ACADEMIC
RESULTS AND ENJOY
BETTER MENTAL HEALTH.

ON AVERAGE, STUDENTS
CONSUME 37% OF THEIR
ENERGY INTAKE FOR THE DAY
DURING SCHOOL HOURS ALONE.

SCHOOLS CAN HELP CHILDREN
DEVELOP AND SUSTAIN
HEALTHY EATING HABITS
THAT CAN LAST A LIFETIME!

What schools are saying about The School Food Project

“Each week, we get the most amazing feedback from the children, but we don’t need it; we can see from their empty plates that the food we are growing and serving has the tastes they want. The parents can have a day off the lunchboxes knowing their kids are eating well at a price they can afford.”

JOHN STEWART
Principal, Living School, Lismore, NSW
Canteen Transformation pilot school
“Students are expanding their food preferences and comfort zone. This has included students who were selective eaters, with parents who initially flagged concerns. They are now finding that the positive peer influence of a shared meal has contributed to positive food experiences.”
EMMA (As quoted in Flinder’s University Case Study Report 2025)
Parent and P&C President, Berrima PS, NSW
Lunch Program pilot school
“The School Food Project has great ideas for including more fresh food on the canteen menu and supporting school canteens.”
CHAD PARTRIDGE
Health Promotion Education Officer,
Central Coast Health Promotion
“We used to sell frozen foods, chips toasties, flavoured milk. Now that we have the new menu everything is made on the premises which is fabulous. It’s going very very well and I’ve had parents come up and actually say how wonderful it’s going. And they’re really quite surprised. The kids have embraced it.”
LORRAINE
Canteen Manager, Daceyville Public School
Canteen Transformation pilot school
“It is amazing now to see students and staff enjoying a large range of nutritious canteenmade meals throughout the week. Walking through classrooms and the playground at lunch time with the waft of freshly made chicken teriyaki or the crunch of the ever-popular Ramsgate Beach Box is a delight to see”
LYDIA NG
Assistant Principal, Ramsgate Public School
Canteen Transformation Pilot school
“To walk around the playground and see the children who previously had no fruit or vegetables tell me they enjoy eating rainbow fruit kebabs, wholemeal bread, fresh salads on rolls – it completely warms my heart.”
MICHELLE HOSTRUP
Principal, Daceyville Public School
Canteen Transformation pilot school
“Every day our children are offered delicious meals that support learning and wellbeing, made from scratch with whole ingredients. It’s been a great success.”
DAMIEN MORAN
Principal, Ashfield Public School
Canteen Transformation pilot school
“It’s a beautiful menu. It is amazing. And I’m surprised, with cucumber, carrot and tomatoes, normally kids don’t go for that, but they’re loving it. And its popular and it’s growing.”
MARY
Canteen staff member, Blakehurst Public School
Canteen Transformation Pilot school