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 The Star Canteen Accreditation Program (StarCAP) which has been offered to schools in WA since 1999 has been modified to complement the new Department of Education and Training Policy for Food and Drinks in Schools. It will now be known as StarCAP2.
StarCAP2 information will be updated on this website shortly.
StarCAP2 training schedule
There are approximately 1100 schools in Western Australia, of which approximately 700 operate school canteens.
The Star Canteen Accreditation Program (StarCAP) was launched
to schools in July 1999 following a pilot of both the program
and the training course with primary and secondary schools
representing all education systems, based in country and metropolitan
areas. WASCA acknowledges the support of the following schools
and their canteen staff who participated in the pilot phase:
Beckenham Primary School, Bindoon Primary School, Carnarvon
Primary School, John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School
(Mirrabooka), Hillarys Primary School (formerly Lymburner
Primary School), Kalamunda Primary School, Mt. Lawley Senior
High School, Northam Senior High School, Pinjarra Senior High
School, Santa Clara Catholic Primary School, St. Joseph's
College, Albany (secondary campus).s
In 2006 approximately 700 persons from over 400 schools have attended training and approximately 150 schools have committed to the program.
The program is currently being modified to be consistent with the Government Policy and Standards for Food and Drinks in Public School Food Service.
What is the Star Canteen Accreditation
Program?
 StarCAP is a voluntary program which awards schools operating
healthy canteens by using a star rating basis of three, four
or five stars, similar to the rating standard used in other
areas of hospitality and tourism.
It recognises and rewards those schools operating healthy,
profitable canteens and also provides incentive for others
to work towards star status.
StarCAP is an intiative of the WA School Canteen Association (Inc) in partnership with the Heart Foundation of Australia (WA division) and the Department of Health and was originally funded by Healthway. Funding was also received from the Commonwealth Department of Health & Ageing to allow the program to be accessed by remote regional areas.
StarCAP has been supported by all education systems, the WA branch of the Health Promoting Schools Association and Parent Body Associations.
StarCAP was developed following consideration of a number
of other canteen accreditation programs including the New
South Wales School Canteen Association Accreditation Program,
the School Canteen Accreditation Program piloted by the South
West Population Unit of the Department of Health in WA, and
the Tasmanian School Canteen Association's Accreditation Program,
CoolCAP. We acknowledge and thank these bodies for their willingness
to share their experience and resources in developing canteen
accreditation programs.
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Aim of StarCAP
To increase the availability, promotion and SALES of healthier
food choices, consistent with the Australian Dietary Guidelines
for Children and Adolescents, in schools in Western Australia.
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Who is eligible to participate
in StarCAP?
All Western Australian primary and secondary schools of all
education systems are invited to participate in StarCAP. There
is no cost to participate, however the school must be a financial
member of WASCA.
Government schools must meet the Government Policy and Standards for Food and Drinks in Public School Food Service irrespective of whether they have previously achieved accreditation.
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How does it work?
Accredited school canteens are required to meet defined criteria
in four key areas.
- Canteen policy
- School community involvement
- Canteen menu
- Hygiene and food safety
 The
schools accredited must demonstrate that the majority of sales
are from nutritionally preferred food choices and they meet the Government minimum standards for food and drinks in public school food service. Participants are also required
to demonstrate
marketing and promotional strategies that link the canteen
and school curriculum as part of a health promoting school.
There are three levels of accreditation - three star, four
star, and five star. Each level builds on the previous one
and requires achievement of higher standards in each of the
four key areas.
The required data is collected over four consecutive school
terms, followed by self- assessment and application for accreditation.
The process is designed to be an ongoing one with flexible
entry points during the school year. It is current for one
year from the date of accreditation. Schools are encouraged
to recommit and to aim for the next level of accreditation.
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How is StarCAP different to
other Canteen Accreditation Programs?
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Training is a key component. The School Canteen Food
Service Short Course has been developed to provide accredited
training to assist schools meet the standards. It is a
six hour training program and addresses the four core
areas of StarCAP. Successful completion of the training
course is a pre-requisite to participation in the StarCAP. StarCAP training is not currently available until the program has been modified to meet the Government strategy.
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It is designed for self-assessment and therefore has
State-wide application. It does not require a dietitian/nutritionist
to work one-on-one with the school. The training undertaken
prior to commitment to StarCAP, empowers canteen staff
and support persons to gradually improve their menus and
canteen practices.
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It is based on best management practice and legislative
requirements.
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The menu component is based on sales evidence
of recommended food and drinks and registered products rather than simply
choices available.
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It taps into existing resources, e.g. the Management
$ense, Food Sense manual produced by the national network
of School Canteen Associations, the Federation of Canteens
in Schools (FOCiS). This manual is used as a reference
for the training component, as well as the Star Choice
Canteen Buyer's Guide and Canteen Cuisine.
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Why should schools participate
in the program?
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You will reassure parents and attract new customers by
demonstrating that your canteen is a model of best practice
in all areas of food service. Parents and care- givers
are concerned about the nutritional quality and quantity
of foods served to students and the food hygiene standards
in place to ensure a safe food supply.
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The records required for StarCAP are those that should
be kept by all food businesses, including school canteens.
They provide a system to internally audit the canteen's
sales and purchases and to assess purchasing trends.
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Your canteen management team deserves recognition and
reward for demonstrating and maintaining high standards.
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What are the rewards?
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Your school will receive a framed certificate of Award.
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Public recognition of the school's achievement and that
of the canteen manager and other groups within the school
that have supported the program. Media releases are sent
to local newspapers.
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Your canteen will receive a voucher to redeem for the
Star Choice registered product or service of your choice
to the value of -Three Star $150, Four Star $250, Five
Star $450. These are achievable every collection period provided the percentage of healthy food
sales improves.
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Where to register your interest
in StarCAP
Contact the WA School Canteen Association Inc.,
PO Box 25, Hillarys WA 6923
Telephone 08 9264 4999
Fax: 08 9264 4981
Email: wasca@det.wa.edu.au
Click to download a 
StarCAP
training registration of interest form.
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