About us

Competence Centre for Community Catering

Team Foto der Kompetenzstelle Gemeinschaftsverpflegung

The Competence Centre for Community Catering provides information on healthy and sustainable nutrition in kindergartens and schools. It serves as a central platform for information and networking for stakeholders involved in community catering within educational settings.

Since 2024, the Centre has been part of the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES). It operates on behalf of The Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection (BMASGPK) and in cooperation with The Austrian Health Promotion Fund (FGÖ).

Our Roles

An informational platform promoting healthy nutrition in educational institutions, like schools and kindergartens
Central point of contact for stakeholders involved in community catering
Interface and coordination hub connecting responsible public organisations and authorities

Our Objectives

The primary focus of our work is to promote healthy eating habits among children and adolescents. Especially in settings where young people spend a significant amount of their time, such as kindergartens, childcare centres and schools. Numerous initiatives are already being implemented across Austria. These measures are mainly coordinated by the Austrian federal states. The Competence Centre for Community Catering supports the nationwide implementation of healthy catering structures throughout Austria.

Our Tasks

Increasing awareness of national recommendations for community catering
Supporting the implementation of these recommendations
Facilitating networking and exchange among responsible authorities and public organisations across the Austrian federal states
Identifying areas where action is needed regarding the nutrition of children and adolescents
Developing measures and practical solutions to address existing gaps
Providing practical guidance materials and training opportunities for stakeholders involved in community catering
Gradually expanding activities to other settings (such as workplaces, hospitals and long-term care facilities)

Foundation of Our Work

The Centre’s activities are based on national recommendations and quality standards for children’s and adolescents’ nutrition:

Austrian Recommendation for Lunches in Kindergartens

Zwei Kinder spielen mit Gurken und Paprika

Quality Standard for Catering in Kindergartens

Austrian Recommendation for Lunches in Schools

Jausenbox mit Brot und Gemüse, Trinkflasche neben Obst und Nüssen

Guideline for School snack bars

Personen, die die Hände übereinander legen

Checklist for School Food

Our Website

From snacks and meal planning to school cafeterias and vending machines, our website provides comprehensive information on healthy eating in kindergartens and schools. We offer recommendations, guidelines, and practical implementation tools, along with a large recipe collection for healthy meals and snacks.

The website also provides links to the public regional organisations in the Austrian federal states. This enables interested kindergarten and school principals, early childhood educators, teachers, and catering providers to quickly find support in implementing healthier nutrition in kindergartens and schools.