The First Nations community of Ieramugadu (Roebourne) has been empowered to overcome social and economic barriers through a longstanding partnership between Sodexo Australia and the Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi Foundation Limited.
That support for the Pilbara community is set to continue, with a memorandum of understanding between Sodexo and NYFL agreed during NAIDOC Week; a commitment that "champions community empowerment, training pathways, employment, corporate knowledge sharing and sustainable business enterprise" under the guidance of the Ieramugadu (Roebourne) Elders.
NYFL is a Traditional Owner organisation made up of the Ngarlumaand Yindjibarndi nations, delivering social, economic, and cultural empowerment for all Ngarda-ngarli (Aboriginal people) through numerous social impact and commercial enterprises.
One of these businesses is the Ieramugadu Store Maya, which aims to address food insecurity in the community by providing quality food at low or no cost to those in need.
Sodexo and its logistics partner transport tonnes of supplies to the local store for free through their freight network, which are significant savings, given its location 1500km from Perth.
The bulk wholesale discount accessed using Sodexo's buying power means great savings on most items that are passed onto the local community, ensuring consistency and variety of affordable grocery items for the community.
Ngarluma leader and NYFL director Josie Samson said the Roebourne community experiences significant challenges as a remote community in Australia.
"Many of our families struggle to access food and good nutrition. So, we're so proud that we've turned our little shop into a not-for-profit supermarket," she said.
"It helps local mob get good food. Our Elders can come in and get a feed for themselves and their children."
NYFL chief executive Sean-Paul Stephens said there had been an increase in the number of people needing access to food at Ieramagadu Store Maya as the cost-of-living crisis continued.
"The supply of quality food to our supermarket along with a commitment to training is something we place great value on given our remote location," he said.
"This, along with Sodexo's assistance with Ieramugadu (Roebourne) Elders' Birthday, community events, a community garden, and funding initiatives, will provide vital support for local Indigenous women and families."
Sodexo has long supported First Nations employment and enterprise, prioritising long-term relationships with Indigenous businesses and vendors, helping to create a ripple effect of economic outcomes for communities across Australia.
The organisation commenced its RAP journey with Reconciliation Australia in 2011 and is now progressing its sixth Reconciliation Action Plan. Its current Stretch RAP outlines a goal of $10 million of Indigenous spend annually but it has already doubled this figure in the last nine months and is on track to spend more than $30 million in the first year of its new RAP.
Sodexo Australia managing director Keith Weston said the company was committed to making real change for improvement in remote Australia and assisting local First Nations communities in the way they feel supports them best.
"This isn't a business contractual arrangement but a long-term community-led partnership that is relationship based and anchored in what the community values, not what we, as an international corporate organisation, think is needed," he said.
