The Healthy Food Information Service verifies if a school canteen is meeting the Food and Drink Criteria that underpins the NSW Healthy School Canteen Strategy.

Schools that pass the menu check receive a ‘Great Choice’ badge and certificate to display in the canteen. The certificate is valid for three years from the date of issue.

Schools are required to re-submit to the Healthy Food Information Service every three years to check that their canteen is still meeting the Strategy.

If a new provider takes over the running of the canteen during the three year period and introduces a new menu, they are required to submit to the Healthy Food Information Service for an assessment.

Choosing the right application form

There are three different menu check application forms. Each one can be completed online and emailed to healthyfood@health.nsw.gov.au

Learn about the different forms and download the correct one for you below:

Standard application form

All parent and school-run canteens should complete the green Standard Menu Check Application Form. Licensed providers operating only one or two canteens are advised to use this form but will need to complete a separate application form for each school they operate.

Master Menu application form

Licensed providers operating more than two school canteens are advised to use the blue Master Menu Check Application form.

For more information, refer to the factsheet Understanding the Menu Check Service – information for licensed providers.

Short application form

Schools with licensed canteens should complete the pink Short Application form after the canteen provider has completed and passed the Master Menu Check. This application form only asks about foods and drinks for sale in the canteen that were not included on the Master Menu and about promotional practices in the canteen.