The Healthy Eating Advisory Service (HEAS), delivered by National Nutrition Foundation and funded by the Department, has released two new case study videos, highlighting how early childhood services effectively plan menus to manage multiple food allergies, intolerances, and other dietary requirements for children at their centres.
Co-designed with services, with support from the National Allergy Council, these videos were developed in response to a needs assessment confirming cooks and other long day care staff have a high interest in professional development on the management of food allergies, intolerances and dietary requirements.
The first case study - Sherbrooke Family and Children’s Centre features Lorraine, cook (pictured above), who demonstrates how she plans meals for 60–120 children to not only meet the Victorian Government Menu planning guidelines for long day care, but also cater for children with food allergies, intolerances and other dietary requirements, through practical adjustments to recipes.
The second case study Goodstart Hampton Park – Coral Drive showcases cook Megha (pictured below), who creates nutritious menus that meet menu planning guidelines, whilst managing food allergies and intolerances, as well as halal dietary requirements.
Watch these short videos to learn strategies for meeting the food and dietary needs of multiple children at your long day care service.
Look out for more HEAS resources on managing food allergies, intolerances and dietary requirements in early childhood services, including a new online training module, in 2025.
