The federal government says it has reached an early milestone in its efforts to build a locally led nutrition workforce in remote First Nations communities, with 21 "Good Food People" now employed in community stores across northern Australia.
The Good Food People program trains and mentors local workers to promote healthy eating, improve food security and support healthier food choices in remote communities. The initiative has been rolled out across the Northern Territory, Western Australia, Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait.
Gapuwiyak resident Keshayla became the first Good Food Person employed through the Nutrition Workforce program and said she was excited to take on the role. She has now been joined by Lili at the store.
"It is good to learn more [about] nutrition and good manymak natha (healthy food) for my future," she said.
Good Food People work in community stores, where they share nutrition knowledge, help implement nutrition policies and develop healthier takeaway food options.
The program has already achieved its target of employing 21 workers before the end of the financial year, with staff now training and working in communities across Cape York, the Torres Strait, the Kimberley and the Top End.
In the Northern Territory, nutrition workers are based in Barunga, Beswick, Bulman, Daly River, Galiwin'ku, Gapuwiyak, Maningrida, Minjilang, Ngukurr, Peppimenarti, Pirlangimpi and Yarralin.
Additional positions have been established in Hopevale and Mapoon in Far North Queensland, St Pauls on Moa Island in the Torres Strait, and Ardyaloon (One Arm Point), Beagle Bay, Kalumburu and Noonkanbah (Yungngora) in Western Australia.
Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, said the workforce was already delivering benefits in remote communities and would play an important role in strengthening food security.
"I'm so pleased to see the Nutrition Workforce rolling out in remote stores across the country, in communities in the Northern Territory, Western Australia, Far North Queensland and Torres Strait," she said.
"The Good Food People program is not only increasing the awareness of healthy choices but also creating local jobs in remote communities."
The government plans to expand the initiative over the next two years, with more than 100 Good Food People expected to be recruited to work in remote stores around the country.
The program aims to create local employment opportunities while building a community-based nutrition workforce to improve long-term food security and encourage healthier lifestyles.
Special Envoy for Remote Communitiesm, Marion Scrymgour, said the initiative would improve access to nutritious food while creating meaningful employment opportunities.
"Food security has been a big focus of our government, and this program is an important part of how we improve people's health and food access out bush," she said.
"It's also going to provide meaningful jobs for people and help build skills and capacity in our remote communities."
The program is being delivered through a partnership between the Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation (ALPA), Community Enterprise Queensland (CEQ) and Outback Stores.
ALPA chief executive, Alastair King, said the organisation was pleased to see a program it originally developed continue to grow.
"This program was originally developed by ALPA many years ago, so to see it continuing to grow and support communities is something we are very proud of as an organisation," he said.
CEQ chief executive, Michael Dykes, noted community stores played an important role in improving access to healthy food.
"Our stores are at the heart of the communities we serve and they play a vital role in shaping access to healthy food," he said. "The Good Food People program will empower local First Nations team members to become leaders in nutrition and wellbeing in their own communities."
Outback Stores chief executive, Michael Borg, said the program was already having a positive impact.
"The Good Food People program is an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of Indigenous people in remote communities," he said. "I am delighted with the progress already made, with 10 Good Food People recruited, and already making a difference."
