Healthy can be fun: How schools are rethinking tuckshop treats
The shift toward healthier school snacks
Across Australia, school canteens are making a quiet but powerful change — swapping sugar-heavy snacks for options that are better for kids and easier for canteen teams to manage.
Frameworks like Smart Choices in Queensland and Healthy School Canteens in New South Wales encourage schools to prioritise foods made from real ingredients, low in added sugar, and big on taste. No one’s saying we need to ban the fun stuff, it’s about making and finding better versions of it.
Canteen managers tell us that parents want simple, allergy-friendly treats that still make kids’ eyes light up. In fact, one Sunshine Coast canteen recently shared that their biggest lunchtime seller was a frozen fruit-based snack that parents actually approved of.
Making healthy choices fun (and profitable)
Healthy options are more than a compliance box to tick. When they’re colourful, convenient, and cost-effective, they sell themselves.
Small changes like offering frozen fruit snacks instead of ice-creams or swapping high-sugar drinks for natural juices, can transform a menu overnight. Many canteens are discovering that kids love the novelty of unwrapping something cold and fruity just as much as a traditional sweet treat.
Schools following the National Healthy School Canteens Guidelines have also found that families respond well to “green” or “amber” coded snacks that taste like treats but meet nutritional goals. The key is presentation over persuasion. Display healthy items loud and proud, and they’ll move just as quickly as the classics.
Iceblocks that make the grade
Frozen snacks are often one of the easiest categories to improve. Fruit-based iceblocks tick the boxes for Smart Choices and Healthy School Canteen frameworks:
made from real fruit and water,
low in added sugar,
free from dairy, gluten, and nuts,
portion-controlled for school settings.
That’s exactly why schools and food-service partners are turning to options like Frozen Sunshine’s 50mL “Middy” range — handmade on the Sunshine Coast with real Australian fruit and coconut milk, designed specifically for canteens and catering.
Because let’s face it: healthy shouldn’t mean boring. When it’s bright, fruity, and allergy-friendly, it’s something kids actually ask for again.
How schools can start the switch
For schools looking to refresh their menu this term:
Audit the freezer. Check sugar content, allergens, and portion size.
Replace one treat at a time. Start with frozen snacks — they’re the easiest win.
Promote the change positively. “New fruity iceblocks for summer” sounds better than “healthier option.”
Engage your community. Ask students to help name new flavours or vote on favourites.
It’s these small, feel-good shifts that help schools build a canteen experience kids love and parents trust.
The bottom line
Healthy can be fun. In fact, it’s becoming the new normal for schools across Australia.
With a few smart swaps and a dash of creativity, canteen teams can serve snacks that keep smiles wide, freezers full, and families happy.
Frozen Sunshine: where real fruit meets real fun — and every iceblock makes the grade.