Staff rooms and staff kitchens

Workplaces & Tertiary education Sport & recreation
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In addition to having healthy foods and drinks available in your organisation (e.g. through retail outlets, vending machines or catering), it is also important to have facilities which allow staff to prepare healthy meals and snacks they bring to work from home.

Usually staff will prepare meals and snacks in a staff kitchen or a staffroom, so in these areas make sure there is:

  • a refrigerator and freezer
  • cutlery and crockery
  • knives and chopping boards
  • cupboard space for staff to store food
  • running water and sink
  • a microwave
  • a toaster or toasted sandwich maker

Foods and drinks provided for employees

In some organisations, snacks and drinks may be available for staff free of charge, for example: milk, biscuits, fruit, butter and margarine, salt and pepper.

Here are some ideas to help you provide foods and drinks in line with the Healthy Choices guidelines:

  • Stock reduced fat milk in the staff fridge (regular fat milk may also be required)
  • Offer artificial sweeteners as an alternative to sugar for tea and coffee
  • Place a fruit box in the staff room or staff kitchen
  • If you offer biscuits, choose healthier varieties (e.g. plain, uncoated, high fibre) instead of iced or cream-filled options
  • Replace lollies with sugar free mints
  • Replace butter with an unsaturated spread or oil (e.g. olive oil, margarine)
  • Remove salt shakers, or place these out of sight

If you offer breakfast for staff, try some of these healthier options:

  • wholegrain or wholemeal bread
  • avocado
  • tomatoes
  • ricotta cheese or other reduced fat cheese
  • reduced fat milk
  • reduced fat yoghurt
  • fresh fruit
  • wholegrain cereal (e.g. muesli, oats or wheat biscuits)
  • eggs
  • For more information about food preparation facilities and healthy foods and drinks for employees refer to the Healthy choices: healthy eating policy and catering guide for workplaces.

Tip: Use FoodChecker to find healthier GREEN and AMBER options.

To receive this document in an accessible format phone 1300 22 52 88 or email heas@nutritionaustralia.org

Except where otherwise indicated, the images in this document show models and illustrative settings only, and do not necessarily depict actual services, facilities or recipients of services. This document may contain images of deceased Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In this document, ‘Aboriginal’ refers to both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. ‘Indigenous’ or ‘Koori/Koorie’ is retained when part of the title of a report, program or quotation. Copyright © State of Victoria 2016

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For more information please phone 1300 22 52 88 or email heas@nutritionaustralia.org.au

Except where otherwise indicated, the images in this document show models and illustrative settings only, and do not necessarily depict actual services, facilities or recipients of services. This document may contain images of deceased Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In this document, ‘Aboriginal’ refers to both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. ‘Indigenous’ or ‘Koori/Koorie’ is retained when part of the title of a report, program or quotation. Copyright © State of Victoria 2016

Written and reviewed by dietitians and nutritionists at Nutrition Australia, with support from the Victorian Government.

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