Canteen Day in WA
Canteen Day is held on the first Friday in November each year to celebrate school canteens and pay tribute to canteen staff and volunteers. This is an initiative of Foodcore, supported by the Department of Education.
It highlights the vital role school canteens play in creating a healthy food environment, supporting student wellbeing and assisting families.
Canteen Day is an opportunity to thank our canteen staff and volunteers. When they work together with parents, teachers and students, the canteen becomes a focal point for the food and nutrition education that supports and reinforces what students learn at home, in the classroom and in the community.
Schools are encouraged to develop innovative ways to officially acknowledge and thank their canteen volunteers for the valuable role they play in schools. We have a suite of templates and downloadables for you to use in the media kit such as Facebook Tiles, colouring in for students, thank you certificates and more. See the Information sheet for ideas and inspiration .
Canteen Day WA Resources
Nan Marlow Award for Excellence in Volunteering
This award is an amazing way to recognise those special people who contribute many hours to your school canteen.
The award is sponsored by The Just Pizza Company, Manager Simone Trewhella, recognises the valuable contribution volunteers play in schools and is proud to be involved.
This is an annual award, nominations open in April with the winner announced at the Foodcore General Meeting during National Volunteer Week, May 2025.
Nan Marlow Award for Excellence in Volunteering Resources
Robin Bromley Visionary Grants
The Robin Bromley Visionary Grants (RBVG) program aims to empower Canteen Supervisors to undertake professional development and training and/or enhance the canteen by purchasing essential equipment with funds provided by this program. This is a Foodcore initiative in partnership with Brownes Dairy
Three Grants of $1,000 are awarded each year. Grants open at the WA Council of State School Organisation Conference in August and close on Friday 20 October 2024.
Since the program started in 2015 Foodcore and Brownes dairy have helped canteens purchase much needed equipment such as bench top display fridges, food processors small appliances. Some applicants have also used the funds for professional development training such as Food Safety Supervisor training.
