The benchmark is for canteen menus to include at last 75 per cent 'everyday' food and drinks and no more than 25 per cent 'occasional' items with at least a 3.5 Health Star Rating.

The strategy is led by the Department of Education in partnership with MLHD.

The Food and Drink Benchmark aims to be implemented in all NSW public schools by the end of 2019.

Canteen Manager at Boorowa Central School, Sam Pye, has been providing a new healthy and tasty menu for several months.

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"Since finding out about the new strategy I have spent hours sourcing canteen-approved products. It has been a lot of work but very worthwhile," Ms Pye said.

"The new healthy options are becoming increasingly popular."

Boorowa Central School Principal Paula Hambly said Ms Pye had undertaken this challenge with assistance from local MLHD Health Promotion Officer, Barb Manwaring.

"Without Sam's enthusiasm and effort, we would not be anywhere near meeting the strategy," Ms Hambly said.

"Sam has been proactive and spent a lot of her own time designing a new menu that is both healthy and remains profitable and popular among the students."

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Barb Manwaring has worked with local school canteens over the past 18 months to help them meet the new mandatory requirements.

"Sam is one of the leaders in around 130 school canteens in the Murrumbidgee to meet the strategy, so I am particularly proud of her efforts," Ms Manwaring said.

"Sam has demonstrated that it is possible to have a healthy and profitable canteen.

"Boorowa Central School is very fortunate to have Sam as their Canteen Manager."