There is one thing that has stood the test of time in the Dalby South State School tuck shop. It’s the brown paper bag in which the meals are delivered.
Everything else has changed—for the better.
“I’m happy to see the end of cream buns,” says Raylene Akers, convener of Tuck Shop.
A small school in Darling Downs, Queensland, announced this week that Tuckshop’s flagship $4 flagship store, Sweet and Sour Chicken and Rice, beats all other Tuckshop recipes in the state to become Queensland’s Congrats on winning a recipe from the State Schools Tuckshop Association (QAST). year award.
Akers takes his work seriously. She arrives at school at 7:30 every morning.
“I want to keep my kids healthy, so I have a lot of plans,” she says.
“During the winter, I eat pumpkin soup, spaghetti bolognese, lasagna, and corn on the cob.”
She is a big fan of hearty meals.
“Even if you don’t have a child confused in the classroom because they’re hungry, teachers have enough to deal with, so it helps keep the kids calm until the next break,” says Akers.
Once considered the realm of pies and sausage rolls, school tuck shops have become a more popular option for busy parents, according to QAST senior project officer Deanne Wooden.
“According to a 2015 study in New South Wales, about 4% of primary school students eat at Tuckshop three to five days a week,” she says.
“In high school, about 15% of students eat at Tuck Shop three to five times a week.
“We also know that children consume 35-40% of the energy they eat in school, or kilojoules.
“So for kids who frequent the school tuck shop, having access to a healthy menu is actually very important.”
Back in the kitchen, the main topic of conversation is the need for more volunteers.
“We need people to come and help us prepare food and serve our children,” she says.
What makes a good Tuckshop volunteer?
“Anyone who can put a sticker on a bag and put tomato sauce in that bag,” says Akers.
“It’s not a difficult task at all.”
Advice for bento packers
Akers is quick to point out that he’s not the “lunch police” and wouldn’t tell parents what their kids should eat, but he does have some pointers for those packing lunches. ing.
“Healthy choices are always a good thing,” she says.
“Eat less cake and chips, more fruit and yogurt.”
But during the 2022 big lettuce shortage, there’s one consolation that tuckshop conveners have created.
Some fast food companies replaced lettuce with cabbage, but Dalby South State School was able to find the right ingredients.
“We understood that farmers were struggling because of the flooding, and they were entitled to that price increase,” she says.
“And… I don’t think kids eat cabbage,” she laughs. “That’s a bridge too far!”
Akers is now preparing a summer menu and sees Tuck Shop as a service to the school community.
That includes meals for teachers.
“They put their daily orders in Tuck Shop. I had a lot of teachers asking for my recipes!” she says.
If you want to try Raelene Akers’ sweet and sour chicken for yourself, the Tuck Shop host will let you in on her secrets.
“Fry the chicken. Don’t fry it, just brown it.”
.
