Vending at school
Vending machines are an opportunity to support nutritious food and drinks at school by making them easier to access.
This also supports other school activities such as nutrition education in the classroom and the promotion and supply of nourishing foods and drinks in the school canteen.
Vending assessments
Complete a vending assessment on FoodChecker to find out if your school’s vending machine provides nutritious food and/or drink options.
Providing more nutritious foods and drinks through vending machines can help you meet the Canteens, Healthy Eating and Other Food Services Policy.
Nutritious food and drink ideas
A number of nutritious food and drink vending options are listed on the following page. These are suggestions only.
Where possible, choose low/reduced fat, reduced salt, and/or no added sugar, high fibre varieties.
Non-refrigerated
- Tuna and crackers*
- Mixed tuna snack tubs*
- Crisp-breads, crackers, rice or corn cakes (plain or flavoured)*
- Roasted chickpeas or beans
- Cereal-based, fruit-filled, fruit and nut bars*
- Air-popped popcorn
- Dried fruit
- Nuts (plain, unsalted, raw or dry-roasted)
- Fruit tubs (natural juice)
Refrigerated
- Sandwiches, rolls or wraps*
- Nori rolls*
- Salad *
- Yoghurts (preferably reduced fat)
- Cheese and crackers (preferably reduced fat cheese)
- Fresh fruit, fruit salad or sliced fruit in bags
Healthier drink ideas
- Plain, unflavoured mineral or soda water
- Plain, unflavoured milks (preferably reduced fat)
- Fruit juice (>99% juice) with a maximum serve size 250ml
References
[1] Canteens, Healthy Eating and Other Food Services Policy, Department of Education and Training, State Government of Victoria, 2006, https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/canteens-and-healthy-eating/policy
For more information please phone 1300 22 52 88 or email heas@nnf.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 National Nutrition Foundation, with support from the Victorian Government.
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The Healthy Eating Advisory Service acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we operate. We pay our respects to them, their culture and their Elders past and present.
The Healthy Eating Advisory Service is delivered by experienced nutritionists and dietitians at National Nutrition Foundation, with support from the Victorian Government.
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