COMPLYING with the NSW Healthy School Canteen Strategy will be a piece of cake for the Kurmond Public School Canteen.
Staffed by a team of volunteers, the canteen prioritises natural produce, including fresh eggs sourced from the school’s own chook shed.
The canteen is led by Nikkola Berrington, who said she is “super proud” of the enormous transformation the canteen has made in such a small amount of time.
She said her inspiration was her own children who experience food intolerances, which led her to provide and promote healthy options for the Kurmond school community, which she calls “real food”.
“The drive for me is to always provide healthy and nutritious food and having the canteen menu items accessible to all our students to experience, including those with intolerances or allergies,” said Mrs Berrington.
“We have a responsibility to promote healthy eating at school through our canteen if this is what we are aiming to teach our children.”
Many foods are prepared on the premises by Mrs Berrington and the Canteen Committee: Lisa Evans, Sarah Navin, Michael Berrington, Renee Attard and Laura Camish.
The local Kurmond community is also involved, with local businesses including Kurrajong Butcher, Value Valley Meats at Richmond and Sciberras Fresh Fruit and Vegetables all supplying the school with discounted and donated produce.
Waste is at a minimum with food scraps going back into the system to feed the school’s chickens.
The canteen is open two days a week, and the canteen staff also cater for school events including Family Discos, Fresh Meal Deals, Meet the Teacher and carnivals.
NSW Healthy School Canteen Strategy is a joint initiative between the NSW Department of Education and the NSW Ministry of Health and aims to increase the healthy food and drink choices available in NSW school canteens.
