Freshsnap - Fresh School Nutrition Advisory Program

Food choices are influenced by more than just preference. The way foods are displayed, promoted and positioned can shape what people choose and often without them even realising it.

Creating healthier food environments at schools doesn't always require major change. Sometimes, it's as simple as making the healthier option easier to see.

Check out the tips below for some practical ways to support healthier choices in schools and community settings 👇🏫

Find out more about the ways freshSNAP can support your school's canteen to create a healthier food environment: https://buff.ly/Dfvb7f7

Alex and Romi recently spent two days at St Pius X Primary School, visiting every class from Kindy to Year 6 to deliver freshSNAP.ed lessons in action.

The sessions gave students a fun and engaging way to explore nutrition education, while also showing classroom teachers how the lessons can come to life.

Students took part in hands-on activities including sensory food exploration, vegetable taste testing and a food group relay — and we were so impressed by their existing nutrition knowledge, curiosity and eagerness to participate.

As one teacher shared, “Kids were engaged and walked away with greater food knowledge.”

Another described the session as “a really fun and engaging incursion.”

Alex and Romi will return to St Pius X in Term 3 to deliver professional learning for teaching staff, supporting them to confidently integrate freshSNAP.ed curriculum materials into their classrooms.

Interested in bringing freshSNAP.ed to your school? Get in touch with the freshSNAP team to find out how we can support your staff and students.
https://buff.ly/vcfopLm

This week, we farewelled Allison, our Health Promotion and Nutrition student from Curtin University.

Over the past few months, Allison completed her 100-hour placement with the freshSNAP team, contributing to project delivery, supporting stakeholder engagement, and helping develop an exciting new feature of the program that we can't wait to share later this year!

Allison quickly became a valued member of the team, bringing enthusiasm, professionalism, and a willingness to take on new challenges. It has been a pleasure supporting her learning journey.

We wish Allison all the very best as she finishes her studies and takes the next steps in her career. 🌟

⚽🏃‍♀️ Growing bodies need the right fuel to learn, play, train, and recover.

Whether they're participating in school sport, training after school, competing on weekends, or simply staying active, good nutrition plays an important role in energy levels, concentration, performance, recovery, and growth.

As parents and educators, we can help teens build healthy habits by encouraging regular meals and snacks throughout the day.

A few simple reminders:
✔️ Before exercise: Include carbohydrate-rich foods to provide energy for activity.
✔️ After exercise: Aim for a combination of protein and carbohydrates to support recovery and replenish energy stores.
✔️ Stay hydrated: Water is usually the best choice for most activities.
✔️ Don't skip meals: Consistent nutrition helps support both learning and physical performance.

Simple options such as fruit and yoghurt, sandwiches, smoothies, milk-based drinks, or crackers with cheese can help active teens meet their nutrition needs.

The goal isn't perfection—it's helping young people develop practical, sustainable habits that support their health, wellbeing, learning, and enjoyment of physical activity.

Check our our Teen Nutrition Guide for more information!
https://buff.ly/BousGA5

What are your go-to snacks or meals for busy, active teens? Share your ideas below 👇

Congratulations to all the schools that completed their Supporting School Canteens program applications for round 1 of the grant!

A total of 738 assessments were completed, including 306 menu, 344 recipes, and 88 products assessments.

The freshSNAP team has supported various schools throughout their application process to complete the FoodChecker assessment. Our team will be here to support you through completing your FoodChecker assessment for round 2 of the grant.

Want to get prepared for round 2 applications? Start your FoodChecker assessment today! https://foodchecker.au

The World Cup starts this week, so it's the perfect opportunity to explore with your students how what we eat can impact athletic performance and health!

Discover ready to teach lesson plans, as well as fact and activity sheets to teach students about fuelling their bodies before, during and post exercise.

This resource encourages students to:
⚽️ Learn about carbohydrates, protein and fats, and their roles in energy provision and body function.
⚽️ Think about the importance of hydration during physical activity.
⚽️ Apply their knowledge through designing a personalised food plan and a nutritious snack fit for an athlete!

Download the Year 8 Food for Fuel resource and more FREE lesson plans today: https://buff.ly/AgK7Ca3

Our curriculum-aligned resources are evidence-based and use a strengths-based approach to nutrition education. Developed by our star Project Officer, Romi who is not only a nutritionist, but also a qualified teacher! 🌟

We’re passionate about providing teachers with high-quality resources, which is why we pilot our lessons in WA classrooms to ensure they are age-appropriate, engaging, and most importantly, enjoyable for students.

Recently, the freshSNAP team visited Cottesloe Primary School to pilot our Year 1–5 lessons, and the feedback from both staff and students was overwhelmingly positive. Thank you for having us! 💚

Want to try our freshSNAP.ed resources in your own classroom? Download them for FREE via our website https://buff.ly/Yt3XHOh

Are you a teacher, or the parent or caregiver of a child 0-18 years? We want to hear from you!

The freshSNAP team, together with Edith Cowan University (ECU) Master of Dietetics students, is developing practical resources to help families better understand potential health outcomes from energy drink consumption.

We’re looking to hear from parents and caregivers of children aged 0-18, or teachers, about the concerns you face with your children wanting to consume energy drinks.

By completing our quick 5-minute survey, you can help us design tailored resources that reflect your questions and concerns.

Energy drink consumption among young people is an increasing concern due to the potential impacts on sleep, concentration, and overall health.

Currently, there is limited understanding of the knowledge, confidence, and support that parents and caregivers need in addressing children’s energy drink consumption.

This project aims to fill the gap by creating practical resources about energy drinks, designed specifically to meet the needs of parents and caregivers.

By sharing your experiences and thoughts, you’ll help us develop materials that are relevant, engaging, and truly responsive to what families need.

Parent survey - https://buff.ly/JpEMuI0
Teacher survey - https://buff.ly/96hLMGk