EAT WELL AT BCS CANTEEN  

Bulahdelah Central School Canteen commenced in its present form in 1981. A committee was formed in the later part of 1980 to investigate canteens in the Hunter Region and to gather information regarding their operation. Lots of excitement was experienced about the prospects of a brand new building, new equipment and lots of space in which to work.

For many years prior to 1981 “Tuck-shop” as it was called then was set up on the verandah of the then Room 8. It was run on a voluntary basis. Three ladies would arrive at approximately 12:15pm, set up tables on the verandah and wait for Mr. Jack Ireland (or one of his employees from the bakery) to deliver trays of hot pies and sausage rolls, cases of cold NSW cordial and a bag of change. After a frantic half hour, the left-overs and money went back to Ireland’s shop where the money was counted, expenses taken out and profits paid to the school on a weekly basis.

Now the canteen is managed by the Bulahdelah Central School P & C Association Inc. Prior to 2005, the Canteen had been run by volunteers but due to the growth in student numbers and the requirements of the Healthy School Canteen Strategy, two paid supervisors were employed to undertake duties such as daily organisation, ordering, cleaning, stocktaking and maintaining the strategy. Towards the end of 2005 further changes were implemented and so from Term 1, 2006 the canteen was staffed by a paid supervisor, a paid assistant and volunteers. The canteen is open five days a week during school terms. A menu/price list is issued as the need arises through the school newsletter.

The mandatory State Education Department’s Healthy School Canteen Strategy was applicable from the beginning of 2005. Under the guidance of the then Canteen Committee and the Departments of Health and Education, the BCS canteen completed this transition by the end of 2004. As of Term 1, 2006 the canteen meets the ANZFA Food Standards Code for health and safety.