
Health and Wellbeing Queensland’s A Better Choice, is a Queensland first public health approach designed to make it easier for Queenslanders to access healthy food and drink options in places outside the home.
The A Better Choice Conference and Expo was held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Tuesday 19 August 2025
The event featured a full-day program of educational and informative sessions, as well as an exhibition featuring suppliers of healthy food and drink options, and other support services relevant to the audience.
Through the conference theme ‘Creating healthy food environments for all Queenslanders’, the program line-up featured opportunities to learn how to market healthy options and boost revenue or profits, work with volunteers and engage with stakeholders.
Missed the Expo? You can now watch the highlights and information sessions below.
We received amazing feedback from attendees, exhibitors and speakers, showing the event was a huge success.
“I loved it all. The speakers were amazing. The vendors were very helpful.
I’ve left with a heart full of knowledge. Can’t wait to implement changes for the benefit of the kids.”
– ABC Expo attendee
Watch a summary of the highlights here
Program Summary
Welcome on behalf of Health and Wellbeing Queensland, Dr Robyn Littlewood, Chief Executive, Health and Wellbeing Queensland
Keynote Address: Successful implementation of healthy food policy – it can be done!
- John Hedley, Group Manager, Support Services, Western District Health Service
Making it count – realising the benefits in your community
- Dr Simone Nalatu, Director of Equity and Communities at Health and Wellbeing Queensland
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Melinda Hammond, Nutrition and Health Manager Community Enterprise Queensland
- Amanda Watt, Executive Director, Queensland Independent Schools Parents Network
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John Hedley, Group Manager, Support Services, Western District Health Service
From Barriers to Breakthroughs – Implementing ABC Healthcare and the ‘Pick Me’ campaign
- Denise Cruikshank, Queensland Health
- Mathew Dick, Health and Wellbeing Queensland
- Kylie Bruce, West Moreton Hospital and Health Service
- Sara O’Neill, Children’s Health Queensland
- Brooke Maund, Queensland Health
Game Changers: Real Stories of Impact in Healthy Food and Drink Provision in School and Community Sport
- Dr Jade Kubler, Health and Wellbeing Queensland
- Lauren Tuxworth, Oxley State School P&C Association
- Adam Hyland, City of Gold Coast
- Paula Sale, Western District Netball Association
From Intention to Impact: Making A Better Choice Work in Healthcare Retail
- Brooke Maund, Queensland Health
- Jen Ellick, Metro South Hospital and Health Service
- Belinda McGowan, Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service
- Tilly Byrne-Kirk, South West Hospital and Health Service
Fuelling Change: Volunteer Success Stories from School and Sport Canteens
- Tiani van Haren, Department of Sport, Racing, Olympic and Paralympic Games
- Emina Shailer, Oonooba State School
- Candice Walker, Bay View State School
- Rabieh Krayem, Wynnum Wolves Football Club
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From Barriers to Benefits: Making profit with healthy food – menus, pricing, operations
- Keryn O’Neill, Queensland Association of School Tuckshops
- Naomi Blines, Queensland Association of School Tuckshops
- Michael Hooper, Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation
Tech for Health: Using Digital Platforms to Drive Better Menu Choices
- Billie Gordon, Health and Wellbeing Queensland
- Rachel Debeck, Flexischools
- Jaylan Tahtali, School24
Keynote Adress: The Advertising Effect: The tips, tricks and insights that get things selling (and people buying)
- Adam Ferrier, Founder and Director of Thinkerbell Agency
Thanking Our Sponsors and Supporters
Silver Sponsors

Our chefs at Good Food Hero prepare nutritionally balanced home-style meals, sauces, and snacks for a variety of uses, suitable for childcare, long day care and schools.
With a wonderful range of dishes available in single serve and food service catering packs, there is bound to be a size just right for you.
Handmade using the best local, seasonal and fresh ingredients, then snapped-frozen to seal in the goodness all within hours of being lovingly prepared by our chefs. Simply enjoy the convenience of heat and serve.
We work closely in consultation with nutritionists and dietitians to ensure every meal is balanced and delicious. For your peace of mind, we are allergy aware and understand food sensitivities. All our dishes are prepared in an egg and nut free environment, with all our meat being halal certified.
We are on a mission to make real, good food your hero!
Exhibitors

Our YMCA Schools’ Breakfast Program provides over 43,000+ children on any one day with a healthy breakfast; on average over approx. 124,000 meals each week across 429+ schools in South East Queensland. The program provides food, equipment and support to schools free of charge, so that schools are able to provide free breakfast to all children. In the past number of years Queensland Government has provided a Grant for Emergency Relief for Families and Children and more recently Breakfast Program and the Broader Food Program when it commenced. In total we have provided over 11.5M+ meals since 2006.
The YMCA Schools’ Breakfast Program began in September 2006 with the support of the Clem Jones Group and Foodbank Queensland. The program started at five state schools in the heart of Logan, deemed by Education Queensland as ‘most in need’ of a breakfast program. Our aim is to ensure students are provided with the best opportunity to make the most of their education and develop healthy eating habits. Our Schools’ Breakfast Program:
• Maximises behavioural outcomes in the classroom
• Enhances student engagement and school connectedness
• Positively impacts student academic performance
• Build stronger school communities

Lactalis Australia benefits from the multi-national scale and ambition of its parent company, without sacrificing any of the proud local heritage and traditions that began with the original Pauls milk business since 1932.
At the heart of business locally, we have 2500 passionate employees, working closely and constructively with some 500 Australian farmers to produce the finest dairy goods in the country. Pauls Milk, Ice Break Iced Coffee, Tamar Valley and Vaalia yoghurt, Oak and Breaka flavoured milk are leading examples of Lactalis Australia dairy products which over the years have become synonymous with high quality and Australian community values.

At Sanitarium, we believe every person deserves the choice to live a healthier life. That’s why we’re passionate about creating affordable, nutritious products, so no matter what you do or where you’re from, you can enjoy them every day. Since 1898, we’ve used our business to share health with generations of Australians. Because when every person can access what they need to eat well, life becomes better for us all.

Health and Wellbeing Queensland are leading on A Better Choice, a Queensland first public health approach designed to make it easier for Queenslanders to access healthy food and drink options in places outside the home. A Better Choice uses the principles of choice architecture to guide consumers towards the healthier options.
This initiative ensures that healthier products are easily accessible, strategically placed, promoted, and competitively priced, so that they become the easiest and most obvious choice. It also reduces the availability of less healthy food and drinks while placing limitations on their promotion. These actions empower consumers to look for the healthier options that support their wellbeing.

Brubecks Boutique Foods was born from a desire to bring restaurant-quality cuisine into the comfort of home. Established in 2000, by catering chef Jamie Whitlock, the brand began as a lifestyle shift—transforming culinary passion into a gourmet retail experience. Over two decades later, Brubecks remains true to its founding vision: crafting fantastically tasty, high-quality foods for discerning customers.
Staying fresh, current, and ahead of trends is part of our DNA. Authenticity: Rooted in real culinary expertise and a genuine love for food. Brand Promise We promise to delight all our customers with our high quality, delicious food. We will not rest on our laurels, we will always strive to innovate, stay current and fresh. Market Position With over 24 years of excellence, Brubecks has earned its place as a trusted name in gourmet retail foods. Known for its bold flavours and premium ingredients, the brand continues to lead and influence the market, setting standards for quality and taste.

Health and Wellbeing Queensland is the States dedicated prevention agency established to drive change, so all Queenslanders have the best chance to live a healthier life, no matter who they are or where they live.

The Queensland Association of School Tuckshops (QAST) is a not-for-profit state-wide membership association with a vision is for healthy tuckshops, empowered school communities.
They support Queensland school tuckshops to deliver healthy food and sustainable services. QAST members benefit from professional development, training, resources, networking and essential services that boost tuckshop presence and viability in the school community.

School24 is a modern all-in-one online ordering system for school uniform, canteen, events and fundraising.
With powerful solutions like self-serve Kiosk, Point of Sale (POS), Kitchen Display System (KDS) and AI tools we help schools of all sizes save time, reduce costs, and streamline operations.
The ABC Expo is convened by Health and Wellbeing Queensland with support from the Queensland Association of School Tuckshops, Department of Education and Queensland Health Statewide Foodservices.
Last updated 3 September 2025