How this tuckshop gets kids to eat vegies when most prefer garlic bread

The most popular tuckshop orders in Brisbane are garlic bread and sausage rolls, but one bayside school’s pasta recipe makes kids want to eat vegetables.

Bay View State School tuckshop convenor Candice Walker said their $3.50 creamy vegetable pasta recipe was packed with vegies – and kids did not notice.

“We know that it’s a daily challenge to get more vegetables onto the table without the kids throwing their hands up in the air, so we figured the best way to do it was to choose a base that they love – most kids love pasta or rice,” Walker said.

Lisa O’Brien and Candice Walker in the Bay View State School tuckshop.

“The kids will happily eat it and tell us how much they love it without realising how much goodness is packed in.”

The Bay View tuckshop caters to 800 students and won the Tuckshop Recipe of the Year contest last year for its healthy recipe.

Yet data from the ordering app used by many state, Catholic and independent schools, Flexischools, shows the most popular items across Greater Brisbane are still garlic bread, sausage rolls, hot dogs and chicken nuggets.

Those menu items are rated “amber” or “red” on Queensland’s Smart Choices guide, meaning they should be selected carefully or only occasionally.

Bay View State School’s winning tuckshop recipe, creamy vegetable pasta.

After those less healthy items, sandwiches and rolls, sushi, spaghetti bolognaise and butter chicken are also popular among the 105,000 students whose orders are managed through the app.

According to the data, most families opt for one tuckshop order a week or less (75 per cent), while 16 per cent ordered two days a week.

Walker said some parents ordered from their tuckshop often, and chose healthier options, while others used it as an occasional treat.

Fridays, she said, were “flat out”.

“Fridays are definitely the days we need the most help from volunteers,” she said.

Flexischools data shows almost 30 per cent of orders were on Fridays, with demand growing during the week.

Three of the top five days for tuckshop orders in 2024 were all in November – November 1, 8 and 15 – when many parents and carers are likely reaching peak lunchbox fatigue.

“In fourth term, we know everyone has pretty much given up on making lunch [at home],” Walker said.

Queensland Association of School Tuckshops executive officer Keryn O’Neill said Fridays were popular as it tended to be when “the fridge and cupboards are empty” after a weekend shop.

“It’s probably also for the kids because if everyone else is having tuckshop that day, it’s a bit of a social day to have it,” she said.

“At the beginning of the year, everyone’s enthusiastic and [saying] I’m going to make my kids’ lunches and they’re going to be healthy.

Lisa O’Brien and Candice Walker in the Bay View State School tuckshop.

“But as the year goes on the enthusiasm wanes.

“The tuckshop is more important than ever for families now because they are relied on more.”

Year 6 students had the most orders (more than 13 per cent), and Prep the least. By high school, many families do not pre-order, and children often make purchases directly at the school tuckshop.

Tuckshop menus and prices continue to evolve. At Samford State School in 1977, kids might have eaten a vegemite sandwich (12¢), cream bun (10¢) or an egg roll (25¢) for lunch, whereas today they can choose from dozens of options, such as a crispy chicken wrap ($6), vegetable sticks ($3.50), burrito or sushi.

While the former state Labor government last year promised free school lunches, it lost the election and the LNP has no such policy.

Some Australian tuckshops offer acai bowls, salmon nigiri, kofta wraps and banh mi, depending on demand from students and the ability of staff and volunteers to supply it.

Health and Wellbeing Queensland nutritionist Mathew Dick said research showed parents wanted tuckshops to provide healthy options.

“When families either don’t have time, nor the ingredients at home to prepare a nutritious lunch, having a healthy and affordable tuckshop menu available is a great option for students and families,” he said.

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