Canteens across Australia are in crisis as downward trend of volunteers in SA emerges

A national body will meet to discuss the canteen crisis as SA tuck shops scramble to find volunteers.

Schools are in the midst of a national canteen crisis as a lack of volunteers has arisen as another factor in South Australia’s tuck shop woes.

In a bid to revive the waning popularity of the tuck shop, a national body representing canteens will meet in February to discuss “the critical future of school canteens across Australia”.

Federation for Canteens in Schools (FOCIS) chairwoman and dietitian Leanne Elliston said it was “becoming an increasing trend where food isn’t available in schools”.

The crisis comes as The Advertiser revealed campuses which closed their canteens or had to raise prices included Pimpala, Reynella and Aberfoyle Hub primary schools in 2025.

Ms Elliston said “a perfect storm” of issues plaguing canteens have left many unable to stay open.

“The traditional model is that there would be volunteers and now there are less than ever before,” Ms Elliston said.

“Canteens have been forced to pay for staff and that cost is high.

“It affects the ability to remain viable.”

FOCIS chairwoman and dietitian Leanne Elliston says canteens are facing a national crisis.

SA Association of School Parent Communities president Janice Zerna said “it’s a bit disappointing” to see canteens closing, often due to a lack of volunteers.

“It’s today’s environment as more parents are back at work,” Ms Zerna said.

Factors which make it “hard for everyone at the moment” to attract volunteers to run canteens also include a parent’s relationship with the school.

“Do they feel welcome to be there and do they feel they’ll fit in?” Ms Zerna said.

But she argued the tuck shop is an invaluable service at school.

“For those who don’t have time, it’s knowing their child can eat at school,” Ms Zerna said.

Canteens also provide “a little bit of independence” for students who can purchase their own food.

On Wednesday, an Education Department spokeswoman said they would be contacting school sites this term “to remind them of the canteen support service available through the department to establish or maintain school canteens”.

“Where a school-based canteen is not viable, the department can assist schools in finding suitable alternatives including off-site canteen services or collaboration with a local deli or cafe,” she said.

St George College has Kalimera cafe as opposed to a regular canteen. Students Alexandra Kouvoussis, 15, Elena Drouganis, 14, owner Ben Sharp and Theo Markobotsaris, 15. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Private businesses may step in to fill the void left by canteens closing, said St George College teacher Ben Sharp, who opened a cafe at the Mile End last year to provide students with meals.

Cafe Kalimera sells popular food items such as ABs and Greek salads with lamb for $9 each.

“You can’t skimp on food and it has to be good quality at a fair price,” Mr Sharp said.

Mr Sharp’s business model gives schools “skin the game” as they pay for the cafe fit out and he pays a lease for using the campus.

“It doesn’t cost the school anything apart from the initial fit out,” he said.

Business is booming with a stream of kids lining up at lunch time for fresh cooked meals at St George College.

“They sit like human beings at lunchtime,” Mr Sharp said.

Mr Sharp is in negotiations with two other schools about opening similar businesses on their campuses.

Originally published as Canteens across Australia are in crisis as downward trend of volunteers in SA emerges