Linda has been canteen manager for 23 years and Kim was her dedicated assistant for more than 21 years but this ends on Friday.

The Ulladulla Parents and Citizens Association had run the canteen but recently made the decision, starting from next term, to hand control back to the school.

Kim and Linda will now be exploring their future options which include the possibility of volunteer community-related work.

Linda said she loved her time at the canteen and enjoyed working alongside Kim.

The couple had a great working partnership and Linda likened it to being husband and wife type of combination.

"We both loved every minute we have been here," Linda said.

Both Kim and Linda were dedicated to the students they served.

"We always tried to be here for the kids," Linda said.

The children, in turn, appreciated the efforts of the dynamic canteen duo.

Some of the students have already expressed their thanks and no doubt others will do likewise in the future.

"One student said 'thanks for being our canteen lady - I will miss you'," Linda said.

Linda and Kim will miss the students as well.

The transition to healthier food has been the biggest change for all school canteens.

Linda and Kim adapted well to the healthier food requirements and the students came to appreciate their home-cooked meals.

The outgoing canteen manager said they tried to encourage the children to look at the food they were eating and for example, gently suggested instead of a white bread roll that a student should try a wholemeal roll.

Canteen favourite like pies and sausage rolls [reduced salt varieties] are still available but things have changed a lot over the years.

"Years ago, we used to have a chocolate vending machine and I would stock it up regularly with 16 boxes of chocolates," Linda said.

"Children would have a couple of chocolates for lunch. Now that is not a real lunch - is it?"

Go to the canteen now and you can order a chicken burger with real chicken and salad.

Linda believes it's great healthier options are now available at all school canteens.

Principal of Ulladulla High, Denise Lofts, wished Linda and Kim all the best.

"Linda and Kim have always been kind and positive and we are going to miss them both," Ms Lofts said.

"We thank you for your dedication to our school. We wish them both the very best, good luck and thank you."

Meanwhile, Linda can't go anywhere without being recognised.

"I stepped on the plane to go somewhere and this person said 'hi canteen lady'," Linda said.

"I was in Queensland once and this kid yelled out 'hey mum - that's our canteen lady'."

The student was proud to have Linda as a "canteen lady" and wanted to tell mum.

Linda said she was proud to have worked in the canteen.

She also got to serve several generations when past students started sending their children to school.

Linda, as she explores her future options, said she would like to do some volunteer work.

She wants to go into local retirement homes and visit people who don't get many visitors.

More visits with her grandchildren in Canberra could be part of her future plans.