Serving school tuckshops a healthy boost

• Research by Health and Wellbeing Queensland shows 39 per cent of families rely on the school tuckshop once a week or more
• Children consume a third of their daily energy intake at school and tuckshops play an important role in modelling healthy behaviour
• More than $130,000 in additional funding will support schools to provide healthier food and drinks options to students into the future

Queensland families can put their trust in the tuckshop to provide children with healthy and affordable lunches as students return to school.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman today announced a further $130,000 to help school tuckshops continue serving delicious and nutritious food and drinks into 2025, in line with the Smart Choices strategy for Queensland schools.

The program is delivered by the Queensland Association of School Tuckshops (QAST) and funded by the Queensland Government through the state’s prevention agency, Health and Wellbeing Queensland.

More than a third of families rely on the school tuckshop once a week to feed their kids.

School tuckshops are collectively one of Queensland’s biggest catering providers, with about 1,400 tuckshops servicing 870,000 students across the state.

Quotes attributable to Health Minister Shannon Fentiman:

“Tuckshops help hundreds of thousands of Queensland families feed their children nutritious and delicious food and drinks every day.

“The school tuckshop is no longer just a treat. For many busy parents and carers, it’s a necessity, which is why we invest in supporting them provide the healthier choices to our kids.”

“I know many families struggle with accessing healthier options for their children and this is one way we can help minimise that challenge.

“I am excited that we are providing more than $130,000 in additional funding to ensure we continue delivering the Healthier Tuckshops program.”

“The Smart Choices strategy was introduced by the Labor Queensland Government in 2007 to ensure children in state schools had access to healthy foods.”

Quote attributable to Member for McConnel Grace Grace:

“Tuckshops play a crucial role in ensuring students have the energy they need to learn.

“This funding is in addition to the Miles Government’s almost $50 million Playground and Tuckshops Upgrade Program and will support schools to provide healthy and affordable lunches to students.

“It was fantastic to join Health Minister Shannon Fentiman at Kelvin Grove State College to make this exciting announcement.”

Quote attributable to Health and Wellbeing Queensland Chief Executive Officer Dr Robyn Littlewood:

“It’s never been more important for tuckshops to supply affordable and healthy food and drinks to students as families adjust to the rising cost-of-living,” she said.

“Research by Health and Wellbeing Queensland shows 39 per cent of families order from the tuckshop once a week or more.

“Not everyone has access to the same food at low prices, and for families who experience food insecurity, tuckshops are vital in providing tasty, interesting and affordable meals that encourage children to adopt life-long healthy habits.”

Quote attributable to Queensland Association of School Tuckshops Chief Executive Officer Deanne Wooden:

“Children consume a third of their daily energy intake at school, which makes tuckshops essential in providing and modeling healthy food and drink choices to students,” she said.

“As the cost-of-living goes up, hardworking tuckshop convenors and volunteers are an essential service for busy families who may not have the ingredients at home to prepare a healthy lunch for their children.

“QAST supports over 400 tuckshops as part of the Healthier Tuckshops program to ensure students have access to food that is nutritious, appealing and affordable.”

ENDS