Runner-up to Grafton High School, it puts Sheryl, and Old Bar's school canteen, at the top of primary school canteens in New South Wales.

"It's all about giving the children a healthy start," said Sheryl, who attended the awards ceremony in Sydney with her husband and three women also involved in the process.

"I just do what I do. I'm extremely humbled".

As members of the Healthy Canteen Association, the canteen (now named Goody Too Foods) has always followed the recommended guidelines.

However after concerns raised by numerous parents they began to eliminate foods with preservatives, additives, colours and flavours.

Foods were slowly integrated into the menu last year, and after a positive response, decided to take the plunge at the start of this year and now offer only these types of foods.

"We don't sell lollies. Everything hot is homemade and almost everything is additive and preservative free."

The homemade goodies include lasagna, shepherds pie, sausage rolls, breadsticks and bread rolls.

The changes have meant a lot more work for canteen volunteers who are now making foods from scratch, and the presence of more volunteers at the canteen each day.

And while Sheryl was originally concerned interest would fade, it certainly hasn't been the case.

"We have a lot of volunteers and a lot of dedicated helpers who I rely on. They're fantastic and they should be part of this award."

In addition to the volunteers, there is a canteen committee who are always on the lookout for new, healthy recipes to try, and staff members also help out by picking up bread from a Taree bakery when in town.

The canteen encourages students to eat lots fresh, healthy and wholesome food, and always have a full fruit platter available.

"The kids do adjust to healthy food."

Among the favourite items on the menu is the juice cup - pure juice poured into a cup and frozen.

"They also love the crunch'n'sip program in the mornings and are buying lots of fruit."

Another benefit of making their own food is knowing exactly what is in it, which is really important when it comes to feeding children with food intolerances and allergies.

"Now we know what they can eat because we know what's in the food."

Sheryl said while change can be hard, what they have now has been worth it.

To keep things really fresh, the school has a large vegetable garden right next to the canteen, so when they are making something like pizza, they can pick fresh basil, chives and parsley straight from the garden.

Sheryl said she was certainly surprised to be named runner-up in the awards and said she is "really pleased that we've come that far and Old Bar gets some recognition".

While at the presentation, she was congratulated by representatives from many schools who asked about what they had done and indicated that was the direction they wanted to take their canteens as well.

The Old Bar school community is also thrilled with the result.

"I'm extremely proud of the efforts of the school community and parents who have supported Sheryl in making our canteen such a healthy alternative for the children," acting principal Deborah Scanes said.