Residents in the Northern Territory town of Alpurrurulam will see their local store receive an upgrade as part of the federal government's food security upgrade policy.
The independently owned Warte Alparayetye Store will receive $915,000 in funding to expand its refrigeration facilities and dry and frozen food storage to help the community during the wet season.
Alpurrurulam is 570 km east of Tennant Creek, and 17 km from the Queensland border, and roads are often closed because of flooding during the wet season, resulting in food needing to be flown in, at a great cost that is often passed on to the consumer, to the small community.
"Alpurrurulam is one of the most remote communities in my electorate and is cut off nearly every year by flooding in the wet season," Lingiari MP Marion Scrymgour said.
Ms Scrymgour, who is in a battle to hold her seat from CLP challenger Lisa Siebert, added: "This investment from the Albanese Labor Government is imperative for this community to be able to secure and increase food supplies during these times."
The government previously announced a $9.6 million Store Efficiency and Resilience Package to give more than 15 remote stores funding.
Earlier this month, it was announced that Gunbalanya's Adjumarllarl Store, 300 kilometres east of Darwin and 60 kilometres northeast of Jabiru, will receive over $341,000 for the purchase of a freezer and refrigeration units. They will also be able to upgrade their point of sale.
Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, said the package is "not just building resilience, it's an investment in the health and wellbeing of First Nations people, and part of our broader commitment to Closing the Gap".
"We know that remote First Nations communities are vulnerable to extreme weather conditions, making them disproportionately impacted by food insecurity," Senator McCarthy said.
Earlier in the year, the government also committed to making 30 essential items in 76 remote community stores across Australia the same price as in cities and boosting warehouse capacity to make remote community supply chains less vulnerable.
It is part of a 10-year National Strategy to improve food security in remote First Nations communities as well as increase access to affordable and nutritious food.
Other remote stores which have received support under the package are Maningrida Store (NT), Kalkarindji Community Store (NT), Amata Aṉangu Store (SA), Timber Creek (Gunamu) Store (NT), Lajamanu Store (NT), Gunbalanya Store (NT), ABIS Supermarket Kowanyama (QLD), ABIS Supermarket Pormpuraaw (QLD), Gapuwiyak Community Store (NT), Warliburru Store (NT) and Kaltjiti (Fregon) Store (SA).
