School Nutrition Guidelines for the Northern Territory

In the Northern Territory, the Canteen, Nutrition and Healthy Eating Policy specifies which food and drinks are restricted in government school canteens. The Policy also recommends foods and drinks that have received 'approval' by various canteen and health bodies, including the NSW and QLD school canteen associations and the Heart Foundation ‘Tick’ program.

Confectionery, soft drinks, deep fried foods and sweet baked goods are only allowed for sale once per term for a whole school event, such as a school fete or theme day. These foods cannot be used for fundraising or classroom rewards.

Two documents support the policy:

• The Northern Territory School Canteen Guidelines, which is based on the Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents and The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating, and

• Tummy Rumbles – Guidelines for Remote Area Canteens, which provides nutrition advice for remote and rural NT school canteens, and is based on The Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Guide to Healthy Eating.