ACT Nutrition Support Service

28/09/2026

Big thanks to Bunnings Warehouse Australia Fyshwick for their generous donation of seedlings and gardening products to spruce up our kitchen garden.
The produce from these plants allow children and NDIS clients experience the joy of harvesting and cooking meals from scratch.
This year we are growing over 15 different vegetable and herb varieties in our little patch with some strawberries to sweeten things up. 🍓🥕🫑🍆🥬🥒🥔🍋

28/09/2026

Get ready for National Nutrition Week, which returns this year with a renewed focus on the issues and opportunities shaping Australia’s food landscape – and calling for action across communities, organisations and policy settings.

Join us from 12–18 October 2026 as we share expert insights and advocacy messages to help create a more connected and nourished Australia.

Food nourishes more than our bodies. It connects us to family, community, culture, wellbeing and the places we live, learn and work.

Across the week, we’re exploring four key themes:

- Positive food messages and experiences for children and young people - because food should feel safe, pressure-free, inclusive and enjoyable.

- Food and nutrition security- because every child, family and community deserves fair access to nutritious, affordable, and culturally appropriate food.

- Mental wellbeing and food - because nutritious foods, cooking and shared meals can support connection, brain health, mood and emotional wellbeing.

- Environmental sustainability and reducing food waste - because the way we choose, use and value food matters for people and the planet.

Visit our site to learn more or download our Communication Toolkit for all of your Nutrition Week messaging and social media images.

https://nutritionaustralia.org/services/national-nutrition-week/

01/09/2026

28/07/2026

🥦🍅 Can you play with fruits and veggies?

We are super proud to be partnering with the talented Chloe Lim, scientist and baloon artist, this National Science Week for Foodie Fun Play! A free hands-on science show with balloons, stories and playful learning.

Designed for kids aged 3 to 8 to explore fruits and veggies through fun, creative play.

📌 WHAT TO EXPECT

🌈 Science Storytelling Show
It starts with a fun 30-minute show where children build interest and curiosity different fruits and vegetables through a balloon filled story.

🎈 Balloon Fruit & Veggie Station
Meet balloon fruits and veggies, then make your own veggie friend with fun eyes and cheeky smiles to take home.

🍓 Tasting Table
Smell, touch, taste and explore fresh produce, prepared by our dietitians.

Tickets are still available for 17 and 20 August shows so be sure to snap them up before it's too late!

Book here: https://twistyfic.eventbrite.com

02/07/2026

We were delighted to welcome Rebecca Vassaroti MLA to our office and food skills kitchen at the Chifley Health Hub this week! 💚

It was a fantastic opportunity to share the work we're doing to support children and families across the ACT through evidence-based nutrition programs that help give every child the best possible start in life.

As a small team, we're proud of the impact we make with limited resources, but we also know there's so much more that can be achieved with greater investment in early childhood nutrition and prevention.

The latest Australian Early Development Census shows the ACT ranks second lowest nationally for children's physical health and wellbeing. Every child deserves to start school healthy, nourished and ready to learn, and investing in public health nutrition is a critical part of making that happen.

Thank you, Rebecca, for taking the time to learn more about our work and for your interest in building a healthier future for children and families across the ACT.

23/06/2026

So wonderful seeing our Nourishing Little Minds Community program in action in Swan Hill. 🙌

30/05/2026

Proud moment sharing the outcomes of our impressive FEED program at the ACT Allied Health Symposium this week.
This program exemplifies the power of Allied Health working together improving the health and developmental outcomes of children and young people with selective eating behaviour. A collaboration of Dietetics, Occupational Tharapy and Play Therapy all wrapped up in one impressive program funded by ACT Government Health and Community Services Health Promotion Grants Program.

Whilst funding for this pilot program has finished, the need and demand in the community among families continues rise. Being the not-for-profit, equity driven organisation that we are, we feel programs such as FEED, with demonstrated outcomes, deserve ongoing Government support. We eagerly await the upcoming ACT Government 2026/27 budget release to find out if this program will be backed by government investment.

Check out our FEED poster here:https://actnss.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Fuelling-Everybody-Every-Day-POSTER.pdf

Nutrition Australia

29/05/2026

Attention teachers! Help us improve food and nutrition messaging in schools. There's still time to take part in this important National survey.

A/Prof Gabriella Heruc and the research team at Western Sydney University and University of Newcastle are inviting Australian primary and high school teachers to participate in an online voluntary survey (15 minutes) exploring confidence and attitudes towards delivering food and nutrition messaging. Findings will inform future recommendations on how we can improve food and nutrition messaging in schools.

For more information and to participate, head to: https://tinyurl.com/SHiNE-Teacher-Survey

Feel free to share among your teacher networks.

16/05/2026

Congratulations to our CEO Leanne Elliston, presented with the Culinary Nutrition Award at the Dietitians Australia ACT Branch event last night. A terrific evening that recognised the incredible work of our Canberra dietitians.
Happy