June 19, 2025Northern Health’s continued commitment to align with the Victorian Government’s Healthy Choices Policy means staff and visitors have greater access to healthier food options.
The Healthy Choices Policy Directive aims to improve health and wellbeing by supporting and promoting the availability of nutritious food and drink options in vending machines, staff catering, and in-house food outlets.
Health services are required to meet specific targets around the proportion of healthy food and drink options offered. At least half of the food options available across catering services, vending machines, and in-house food outlets must be “green” foods. These include fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein foods, healthy fats, nuts, and wholegrain cereals – all important components of a balanced and nutritious diet. Meeting these targets helps ensure that both staff and visitors can enjoy eating well when working at, or visiting, health services.
Northern Health and Kilmore District Hospital (KDH) are keen to continue to their excellent track record of Healthy Choices compliance to make healthy food and drink options more accessible. The annual audit of vending machines, staff meals at KDH, and staff catering menus is currently underway.
Rachael Evans, Associate Director of Dietetics at Northern Health, is working hard to promote a collaborative and organisation-wide effort to ensure healthier food and drinks are offered across all sites.
“Implementing Healthy Choices demonstrates Northern Health’s commitment to the health and wellbeing of staff and visitors and also sets an example to our community of enjoyable and appealing fresh, healthy food and drinks,” she said.
We continue to honour our partnerships with cafes, catering services, and vending machine providers to maintain both nutritional quality and quantity of food available for staff and visitors.
As Northern Health continues to evolve, we look forward to expanding healthy choices to make it easier for everyone to eat well. Our number one priority remains the community’s wellbeing, as we strive to go above and beyond requirements.
No matter what site you visit next, find comfort in knowing that we remain committed to making healthier choices, easier.
Featured image: La Trobe Dietetics students Chaden Halujy Ammar, Molly-May Ramsay, Stephanie Chatziopoulos, and Reem El Daouk.
