www.waschoolcanteens.org.au : home : about us

The Western Australian School Canteen Association Inc. (WASCA) is an independent non-profit organisation, which was formed on July 15, 1994. WASCA assists schools of all education systems to establish and maintain healthy, profitable food services by providing information, advice, resources and training. In partnership with government health and education sectors, non-government health organisations and the business community, the Association contributes to programs designed to improve the health of Western Australian school-aged children and adolescents.

The objects of the Association are:

• To promote the provision of nutritious food in school canteens and other settings frequented by school aged children and adolescents.
• To provide advice and support to schools and the wider community in the operation of healthy food services.
• To support school communities in the provision of economically viable canteen services.
• To meet with other states with School Canteen Organisations being Bodies Corporate and having objects similar to the objects of this Association.

The Association operates under the terms of its Constitution as required by law for incorporated Associations, and has recently developed a Health Policy.

As of September 1, 2006 the Association is located on the Ground floor of the Department of Education & Training, 151 Royal Street, East Perth, WA 6004. Office hours are 9.30 am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday. If visiting, for security purposes you must report to reception to sign in. You will be given a temporary access permit. You must sign out when leaving the building.

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The Association is administered by an Executive Committee elected at the Annual General Meeting held in April each year. The Executive Committee meets monthly. General meetings of members are held four times per year.

The Association receives no recurrent funding for core business from any source. Income is derived from membership fees, Star Choice™ product registration fees, the sale of resources and fee for service consultation. Specific project funding grants and sponsorship arrangements have assisted the Association to implement programs.

In May 1996 WASCA received funding from Healthway to implement the WA School Canteen Project. The aim of the project was to improve the variety and nutritional value of food sold in Western Australian school canteens. The Star Choice™ Food Registration Program was a strategy of the project and was launched to food industry in WA in July 1998. Products registered under the program must meet nutrient criteria developed by the national body representing school canteens, The Federation of Canteens in Schools (FOCiS). A Buyer's Guide of registered products was produced to complement the project. The guide is updated twice per year and circulated to schools and some sporting and community groups operating canteens.

A 'Healthy Choice' Food Expo is held annually on the second Wednesday of the July school holidays in conjunction with a Canteen Conference which offers professional development for those operating canteens. The Conference is a joint initiative of WASCA and the Heart Foundation (WA division). Only products that meet the nutritional criteria for registration under the Star Choice™ Food Registration Program or the Heart Foundation's Pick the Tick Program may be displayed.

The Star Canteen Accreditation Program (StarCAP) is an initiative of WASCA in partnership with the Heart Foundation (WA division) and the Department of Health. It received further funding by Healthway to build on the achievements of the WA School Canteen Project. This project also received some funding from the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing under the National Child Nutrition Project which has provided equity and access to StarCAP to schools in remote parts of the State. The program has been revised to make it consistent with the WA Government Policy and Standards for Food and Drinks in Public School Food Service.

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General Meetings and Events in 2010

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