People love options
That’s why Ross River Athletics Association decided to introduce healthier food and drink options for their members.
Ross River Athletics Association is a purely volunteer-run athletics club located in Townsville. The club has a canteen that runs throughout the week for club nights and during special events.
Start slow with small trials
Ross River Athletics wanted to understand what their members were after, knowing that their community is more aware and looking for healthier options when eating out.
The club started by trailing different healthier specials.
Finding better balance
After trailing a few options, the club decided on the small changes they would make to the menu and beyond.
Changes to the menu
- Add veggies to menu classics, adding lettuce, tomato, onion, beetroot and carrot to hamburgers
- Introduce healthier meal deal options, featuring healthier meals and water
- Add healthier options, including banana muffins and carrot and walnut slice, salads, and salad wraps
- Limit unhealthy options
- Make fresh fruit readily available
Changes beyond the menu
- Swapping unhealthy rewards with healthier ones, using go karting instead of donut vouchers
Success and top tips
After three club nights they started to notice the difference in sales and how busy they were, with sales almost doubling compared to last year.
The club has received so many compliments on the changes and feedback from families enjoying the new weekly menus and healthier options.
Ross River Athletics top tips for making changes:
- Find out what the families and athletes like
- Don’t be afraid to try new things – if you are not sure start with a limited amount to reduce waste.
- Change it up and keep your members coming back to see what is new on the menu.
Our families look forward to purchasing their dinner from the canteen instead of getting Maccas for the kids on the way home.
Rachel, Canteen Convenor.