Fears the Aussie school canteen may be doomed as parents have less time and money to keep doors open

One of the favourite pastimes for millions of Australian schoolkids, a trip to the school canteen, may be doomed as parents and volunteers donate less time to help keep the food providers running.

As families become increasingly time poor, some governing bodies are concerned schooling authorities will be forced to turn to corporate suppliers for food and staff to deliver meals to students, or abandon the school canteens altogether.

The cost of living crisis is also taking a bite out of family budgets and many youngsters are missing out on the fun of a lunch order due to a lack of funds in the household budget.

“It’s a forgotten space,” says Federation of Canteens in Schools chair Leanne Elliston.

“From every corner of the country, we’re hearing the same thing: canteens are stretched to breaking point.”.

“In the days when there were lots of volunteers available you didn’t have to pay for so much in staffing.

“But unfortunately you just don’t see canteens like that very much anymore.”

It’s a challenge Jennifer Chambers has experienced firsthand running the canteen at her children’s school in Newcastle.

“We really need parent volunteers.”

As the Australian norm switches from one parent working in the household to both, the time available for volunteering at schools has become almost non-existent in some areas.

Many that once relied on volunteers need to adapt to the time constraints of working parents, according to education policy researcher Glenn Savage.

“The historical stereotype of the volunteering mum … is wildly out of step with the reality of working mothers in Australia,” he says.

“The working lives of parents and the demands on their time has changed significantly.”

Unlike overseas counterparts, Australia has no national system for schools to provide free student meals.

This makes it difficult for schools to develop a consistent approach, Professor Savage says.

“Not only in terms of how the canteens are run but also what’s provided as options to young people.”

It also found rising food costs and limited funding are making it increasingly hard to provide affordable healthy options, while outdated infrastructure and inadequate equipment are hindering their preparation.

A set of national recommendations has been issued to support and sustain canteens, with government urged to establish fully funded positions and provide training for canteen staff to reduce reliance on volunteers.

With AAP.