Remote Indigenous Stores and Takeaways Project

The Remote Indigenous Stores and Takeaways (RIST) Project was established in 2005 by the SA, WA, NT, QLD, NSW and Australian Government Health Departments to improve access to a healthy food supply for Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander People in remote communities. The project aims to establish and improve standards for ‘healthy' remote stores. To reach the goals of the project, below resources have been developed.

For information about other nutrition related resources, see our health promotion resources section >>more

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Guidelines for stocking healthy food

This resource provides guidelines for stocking healthy food in remote community stores. The resource explains how stores should provide a range of healthy foods and drinks for their customers, and consists of a checklist which outlines the minimum range of healthy foods that should be available in any store, regardless of its size.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract
View resource: guidelines for stocking healthy food (PDF - 159KB)

Maximising the shelf-life of fruit and vegetables

This poster covers the key points to ensure perishable fruit and vegetables have a sustained shelf life. It has four clear bullet points supported by simple visuals to explain correct handling of produce, stocking and storing of produce, correct temperatures for storage, and the general maintenance of leafy greens.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract
View resource: maximising the shelf-life of fruit and vegetables (PDF - 96KB)

Marketing ideas for healthy food

This resource consists of a manual that provides ideas for promoting the sales of healthy food items. The manual provides a range of strategies to assist store owners in marketing healthy choices to their consumers. The overarching message is that increasing the sales of healthy food will in turn result in an increase in healthy eating.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract
View resource: marketing ideas for healthy food (PDF - 289KB)

Healthy fast food

Healthy fast food is a manual with guidelines and recipes for takeaway outlets. The resource is aimed at managers and staff of remote Indigenous community stores and takeaways and others who work with them. The resource provides practical tips and advice on how stores and takeaways can promote and support healthy eating in remote communities. The information is clear and easy to read and includes: a recommended minimum range of menu items; daily menu suggestions; preparation and cooking tips; a healthy takeaway checklist; basic cooking tips; easy recipes; a menu and work flow planning guide; and a food safety section.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract
View resource: healthy fast food (PDF - 943KB)

Checklist - how healthy is your store?

This checklist is a tool used to assess a store's capacity to support a healthy food supply. Store owners should aim to tick as many boxes as possible on the sections relating to nutrition, management, and promotion and marking of healthy store products.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract
View resource: checklist - how healthy is your store? (PDF - 875KB)

Checklist - how healthy is your takeaway?

This checklist provides a way for owners to quickly assess how healthy their takeaway outlet is. The checklist is designed to be used every few months to track improvements over time. Takeaway outlet owners should aim to tick as many boxes as possible on the sections relating to nutrition, promotion and management of takeaway outlet products.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract
View resource: checklist - how healthy is your takeaway? (PDF - 165KB)

Freight improvement toolkit

This resource is a guide for remote Indigenous communities and others along the food supply chain, to improve freight transport of healthy foods to remote Indigenous community stores. This toolkit is a two-part document that is intended to give people using freight services in remote Australian communities the information necessary to get the best out of the service provided. Part A outlines background information on the opportunities and pitfalls of perishable goods transport. Part B includes practical tables and examples to help individuals involved in the industry understand their personal situation and improve their current methods.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract
View resource: freight improvement toolkit (PDF - 2.9MB - Large file warning!, Adobe Reader version 7.0 or above is required to view this document)

Heart Foundation buyer's guide

The Heart Foundation has developed a this practical tool with the aim to improve the nutritional health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living remotely.
The Buyer's Guide is a tool designed specifically to provide practical help for managers and owners of remote Indigenous stores and takeaways. It identifies specific brands of foods and beverages the Heart Foundation would encourage these stores to stock to improve the range of healthier items on offer for these remote Indigenous communities. It is not designed for the broader community.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract adapted from National Heart Foundation Australia
View information: Heart Foundation Indigenous resources
View resource: Heart Foundation buyer's guide (PDF - 253KB)

Keeping track of healthy food

In collaboration with the RIST committee, a team at the Menzies School of Health Research has developed a store monitoring tool, named 'Keeping track of healthy food'. This monitoring tool is based on indicator foods that reflect the key dietary problems in remote Indigenous communities, and can be used by stakeholders as part of a progressive cycle of planning, action and reassessment for improved nutritional quality of the food supply.

The tool can be used by retailers, store committees, health practitioners and researchers to improve food supply for Indigenous communities in remote Australia. Store sales data are uploaded into a database where data can be checked and processed and a report generated. The report provides information on the sales and turnover of key foods. The Keeping track of healthy food team provides training and a helpdesk for the people using the tool.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract
View website: Keeping track of healthy food (includes info about how to obtain the monitoring tool)
View report: Keeping track of healthy food (PDF - 9.0MB - large file warning!)

Fruit and vegetable quantity spreadsheet

Fruit and vegetable quantity spreadsheet (not yet available)

Contact details

Contact person: Sharon Laurence, NATSINSAP Senior Project Officer Heart Foundation
Address: Level 12, 500 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone: (03) 9321 1566
Fax: (03) 9321 1574
Email:: Sharon.laurence@heartfoundation.org.au

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Last updated: 27 August 2008