Reducing the cost of essential groceries and building a nutrition workforce are among the measures included in a national strategy to improve food security in Australia’s remote First Nations communities.
Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, said the 10-year National Strategy would increase access to affordable and nutritious food.
Senator McCarthy said the Strategy had been developed in partnership with State and Territory Governments, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community-Controlled Health Organisations and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
“The Strategy is the first coordinated national approach to address food insecurity and improve health outcomes for remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities,” she said.
“It is the result of extensive engagement, including consultations in 21 remote communities and 10 regional forums across the country.”
She said the Strategy supported recently announced Closing the Gap remote food security measures including:
- Reducing the cost of 30 essential products in more than 76 remote stores to help ease cost of living pressures and improve food security in remote communities.
- Building a nutrition workforce in remote communities by upskilling up to 120 local First Nations staff in remote stores.
- Creating a dedicated governance, training and support package for remote stores.
National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation CEO Pat Turner said access to affordable, nutritious food was fundamental to good health and wellbeing.
Mr Turner said the Strategy was a vital step towards ensuring that remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities were no longer forced to live with unacceptable food insecurity.
“Food security is not just about access – it’s about equity, affordability, and building a strong workforce that supports long-term solutions, “ he said.
“Investing in upskilling Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff in remote stores is a key element in strengthening community-led responses, creating sustainable employment opportunities, and addressing Closing the Gap targets in health, economic participation, and education.”
Read more on the National Strategy for Food Security in Remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
