See the price lists: Cost of a canteen lunch hits almost $20 at South Australian schools

The tuck shop may be convenient for time-strapped parents but analysis reveals the wild cost of a humble ham sandwich, drink and fruit. See the price lists.

A three piece lunch at some South Australian school canteens can cost almost $20, new analysis reveals, but a leading dietitian has advice to keep costs down for families feeling the pinch.

Parents struggling with the increased cost of living and strapped for time can pack lunch boxes with similar items to the school canteen for a fraction of the cost, according to accredited dietitian Tania Ferraretto.

While Advertiser analysis of school canteen prices reveals a sandwich can cost almost $8 at some campuses, it can be made at home for less than a quarter of the price.

Ms Ferraretto estimates, depending on the time of year, that a fruit salad cup and a ham and salad sandwich can cost just $3.50 total.

Among her top tips for parents is to plan lunches on the weekend.

“This allows time to prep something like pasta or zucchini slice so that it is ready to go during the week,” Ms Ferraretto said.

Tania Ferraretto is a leading Adelaide nutritionist. Picture: Supplied

The Advertiser analysed the menus at almost 50 schools around SA, with the cost of a meal at North Adelaide Primary School the highest at $18.60.

The costs of common items including a ham sandwich, a piece of fruit or fruit salad and a drink were tallied to produce a total.

The most expensive drink option and the most affordable fruit item were counted.

Flavoured milk was often the most expensive drink offered for as high as $4.80 while sandwiches were commonly the priciest food item at $7.90, both on the menu at North Adelaide Primary School.

Principal Kate Bennett said while the school does not run a canteen, parents have the option to order food for their children through two local businesses.

“The prices are set by those businesses and the school does not make any profit from this, it is a service only,” Ms Bennett said.

However many schools offered individual pieces of fruit such as an apple for as little as $1.

An Education Department spokeswoman said the department “is aware of financial pressures borne by families at this time of year and provides a range of support measures”.

The state government committed $6.5m to ensure hundreds of schools can fund breakfast programs and food security initiatives for students in need.

Canteens are operated by a school’s governing council or a third-party provider but the department can provide “advice and support on canteen viability issues, pricing, menu changes and other issues affecting their current service”.

All schools were reminded of the support the department provides for canteens in week 2 of term 1 this year.

Catholic Education executive director Dr Neil McGoran said its schools “strive to offer accessibility to their canteen through affordable food options”.

While prices are “driven by external factors”, Dr McGoran said a number of Catholic schools offer free breakfast programs.

The most affordable meal available is at Goodwood Primary School where students can order a piece of fruit, juice and a sandwich for just $6.50.

A sandwich at Goodwood is just $2.50.

Ngutu College year 11 students Shannon and Colleen in the campus’s new cafe where students and parents have the opportunity to train. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Meanwhile at Ngutu College’s new Ngani Cafe, students have the opportunity to gain experience working in hospitality, including food preparation and barista training.

Year 11 student Shannon was part of the first group to complete the barista training with his new customer-service skills helping him find a part-time retail job outside the cafe.

“I’ve been really enjoying it, I’d say the highlight in general is learning a lot more about hospitality,” he said.

“It really (helped) me get a feel of how a real job is.”

The menu, which has breakfast, lunch and snack options priced from $2 to $15, includes seasonal falafel salad with house-made dukkah and wattle seed scones with kakadu plum jam and cream.

The cafe opened to the public on Monday, March 3.

Originally published as See the price lists: Cost of a canteen lunch hits almost $20 at South Australian schools