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Serving more than lunch: Carmel’s tuckshop journey

When Carmel Window began at the Gympie South State School tuckshop in October 2018, she stepped into the role with a clear vision: to serve the school community with healthy, nutritious food and create a welcoming space at the heart of the school. Over the years, Carmel found great joy in supporting students, families and staff through the tuckshop. One of the most rewarding parts of her work was watching students grow and change each year; from shy little prep

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Toastie Tactics

Toasties are one of the most popular menu items in school food services across Queensland, and for good reason! From the customers’ point of view, they are comforting, can be adapted to preference and are often available at a lower price point than other hot mains. From a food service point of view, they are quick and simple to make, can be made ahead of time and often achieve a 100%+ mark-up. Throughout our travels to Queensland tuckshops, there is

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Central Queensland Tuckshops Visit – 10 – 13 August 2026

Run a school tuckshop and keen to squeeze some professional development in? Want to meet other convenors from around the Central Queensland region to see how they do things in their tuckshop or canteen? We’re excited to share that the team from the Queensland Association of School Tuckshops (QAST) will be visiting Central Queensland in Week 5, Term 3 2026. This regional visit is a fantastic opportunity for tuckshop convenors, staff, volunteers, and school communities to connect, learn, and share ideas

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Take-home meals from the Tuckshop

Tuckshops in Queensland can prepare meals for people to purchase and take home, but there are a few important things to consider. For most state school tuckshops operated by a P&C Association, the Queensland Food Act exemption means the tuckshop itself is generally not regulated like a standard commercial food business. Queensland schools already commonly prepare meals onsite such as lasagne, curries, pasta dishes and stir-fries. However, if the tuckshop starts preparing “take-home meals” for the wider community or operates

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Winter warmers in your tuckshop

As the cooler months roll in, it’s the perfect time to refresh your tuckshop menu with hearty, warming options that keep students satisfied and can help boost seasonal sales. While Queensland winters may look different depending on where your school is located, many tuckshops notice a natural shift away from cold items like salads, sushi and ice blocks, towards warm meals and comforting snacks. Updating your menu for winter doesn’t have to mean a complete overhaul. Small seasonal swaps can

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Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

A fresh and filling tuckshop favourite! This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad combines tender chicken, crisp cos lettuce, pasta, parmesan and crunchy croutons, all tossed in a creamy Caesar-style dressing. Perfect served chilled for an easy lunch option students will love.

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Nourishing minds, building community at Garbutt State School

At Garbutt State School, food is far more than just a meal; it’s a connection point, a support system and a foundation for learning. With just 86 students, and around 85 per cent of students identifying as First Nations, the school community faces many challenges linked to disadvantage and food insecurity. But under the leadership of Principal Jackie, the school has built a culture where every child is welcomed, supported and nourished… without judgement or stigma. For years, the school

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Tropical Packaging – North Queensland

When you need to wrap it, pack it, eat off it or enjoy a refreshing hot or cold beverage from it, Tropical Packaging are your locally owned and operated disposable food and packaging supplier and have all the gear you need They have, always available, a ready supply of all your paper and plastic packaging requirements and the North’s most comprehensive supply of food service disposables. They source only from the industry’s leading manufacturers and importers and now stock a

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Sushi Sandwiches

These sushi sandwiches layer seasoned rice, crunchy vegetables and creamy tuna between sheets of nori for an easy handheld meal that’s packed with flavour.

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How to communicate a price increase

Communicating a price increase in a school tuckshop can be delicate. Families are cost-conscious, but they’re also generally supportive when the “why” is clear. The goal is to be transparent, calm, and solution-focused rather than defensive. Explain the reason in simple, relatable terms.Rising costs of ingredients, packaging, and staffing are widely understood right now, so say that plainly. Avoid overloading people with detail, but be specific enough to feel honest (e.g. “supplier price increases” ‘fuel levies” or “fresh produce costs”).

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