Report finds stores licensing delivers healthier food to remote Indigenous communities

An independent report has found stores licensing in the Northern Territory has helped people in remote communities to have better access to healthy, affordable food.

The Evaluation of the Community Stores Licensing Program by the Cultural & Indigenous Research Centre Australia for the Australian Government, found the regime has helped improve food security, especially with regards to the quality, quantity and range of healthy food available.

The report found 86 per cent of stores were selling at least 13 varieties of fresh vegetables and 91 per cent sold at least 7 varieties of fresh fruit. The availability of healthy food was also helping to promote better nutrition.

The Australian Government established a licensing regime for community stores in the Northern Territory as part of the Northern Territory Emergency Response (NTER), and is committed to providing remote communities with better access to healthy and affordable food.

Links

• View media release: Remote area food quality improving: report
• View media release: Report finds stores licensing delivers healthier food to remote Indigenous communities
• View website: Australian Labor Party