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About Us

Postal address:

PO Box 25, Hillarys WA 6923

Telephone:

08 9264 4999

Facsimile:

08 9264 4981

E-mail:

wasca@det.wa.edu.au

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 school canteens 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.
  • To provide advice and support to school communities in the operation of school canteens.
  • To support school communities in the provision of economically viable school 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 9am - 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 annually and circulated to schools with canteens.

A 'Healthy Choice' Food Expo is held annually on the second Wednesday of the July school holidays in conjunction with the Heart Foundation Canteen Conference. 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 is currently being 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 2008

Date

Time

Venue

General Meeting
Saturday February 23

12 noon - Complimentary light luncheon

City of Mandurah Administration Building
Tuckey Room. 3 Peel St, Mandurah

Annual General Meeting
Wednesday April 30

7pm - Complimentary light supper
Guest Speaker Glenn Cardwell
Nutritional Superannuation – adding more birthdays to your life, how to sift the nutrition facts from the fraud... and live a lot longer!

Technology Park Function Centre
2 Brodie Hall Drive, Bentley

Canteen Conference & Healthy Choice Food Expo
Wednesday July 16
Announcement of Volunteer of the Year

"Freshen Up"
A full day of professional development for canteen staff and their committees, health and education professionals and interested parents.

Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre
21 Mounts Bay Road, Perth

General Meeting
Wednesday September 17

3.30pm – Complimentary afternoon tea

Home Base Expo
Cnr Salvado Road and Harbourne St, Subiaco

General Meeting
Saturday November 22

12 noon – Complimentary light luncheon with Christmas theme.

Beatty Park Leisure Centre
220 Vincent St, North Perth

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