A 10-year National Strategy to improve food security in remote First Nations communities as well as increasing access to affordable and nutritious food has been released by the federal government.

To be launched on Wednesday in Maningrida in West Arnhem Land, the strategy is the first nationally coordinated approach to address food insecurity and improve health outcomes for remote Indigenous communities.

Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy said the Strategy will "support and grow community-led solutions to food insecurity and ensure governments are working together to address this critical issue".

The Strategy was developed in partnership with state and territory governments, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community-Controlled Health Organisations, and Indigenous communities.

National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) chief executive Pat Turner said the new Strategy was a "vital step" towards ensuring all remote communities didn't have to live with the reality of food insecurity.

"Food security is not just about access – it's about equity, affordability, and building a strong workforce that supports long-term solutions," she said.

Throughout 2024, there were 21 face-to-face community consultations in remote communities with 378 participants; 10 face-to-face regional forums, with 128 participants; and 44 online submissions.

They identified seven pillars of food security: Country and culture; health and nutrition; housing, infrastructure, and environmental health; families and communities; remote retail; supply chains; and healthy economies.

"The ongoing disruption of traditional food systems is a root cause of food insecurity for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people," the Strategy states.

"This is compounded by poor quality infrastructure, such as roads and barge landings that can disrupt supply chains, further limiting access to grocery stores, fresh food markets and traditional foods."

While seven per cent of Australian households in remote communities regularly experience food insecurity, this number jumps to 51 per cent for remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander households.

During the 2023–24 wet season, Kowanyama in Queensland was cut off from essential deliveries by road for 25 weeks.

Writing in National Indigenous Times last year, Senator McCarthy noted: "During the last wet season, Northern Territory communities cut off by flooded roads were paying $10 per kilo for air freight, adding $20 to the cost of delivering two litres of milk."

"A recent investigation by the consumer advocacy group CHOICE found groceries in some remote First Nations communities cost more than double than in capital cities," she said.

Last month, the federal government announced 30 essential items in 76 remote community stores across Australia will be the same price as in cities, and that warehouse capacity will be boosted to make remote community supply chains less vulnerable.

"We know that remote First Nations communities are disproportionately impacted by food insecurity," Senator McCarthy said on Wednesday.

"This Strategy is about improving food security for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in remote communities in Western Australia, Queensland, Northern Territory, New South Wales and South Australia."

The Strategy notes when food insecurity is prevalent, people begin to rely on less nutritious food, in turn exacerbating ailments such as heart disease, obesity and early morbidity. These ailments are more prevalent in remote communities, according to health data, where life expectancy is 12.4 years less than for Indigenous Australians compared to non-Indigenous Australians.

The Strategy also focuses on creating a "dedicated governance, training and support package for remote stores".

Ms Turner said this was a "key element in strengthening community-led responses, creating sustainable employment opportunities, and addressing Closing the Gap targets in health, economic participation, and education".

"NACCHO welcomes this commitment and looks forward to working with all levels of government and community-controlled organisations to ensure that this Strategy delivers real and lasting change for our people," she said.