Pillar of the National Strategy for Food Security in Remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities
Food and nutrition
Goal
- 2. Remote stores and other food outlets are responsive to, and meet the needs of, community.
Intended outcomes
- 2.1 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in remote communities are supported by a culturally responsive nutrition, dietetic and food security health workforce, which includes local community members.
- 2.2 Dietary health care in remote communities supports people with established, and at risk of, nutrition related conditions.
- 2.3 Preventative approaches are designed by, and with, remote communities to develop the knowledge and skills required to access, prepare, and consume nutritious, culturally appropriate foods.
- 2.4 Remote health services have the resources to engage with ocmmunity services, such as stores and schools, to improve nutrition outcomes.
First Nations Nutrition Workforce
The Government has established the First Nations Nutrition Workforce to train and engage more than 100 locally employed staff in remote stores over the next two years. We have already reached our goal of recruiting 21 ‘Good Food People’ within the first year.
Delivered through a partnership between the NIAA, Arnhem Land Progress Association, Outback Stores and Community Enterprise Queensland, the initiative will build a First Nations nutrition workforce in remote community stores across Australia.
More than 100 locally employed nutrition workers will be trained and supported to promote healthy food choices, strengthen store nutrition practices and improve access to affordable, nutritious food.
The initiative is creating local jobs and contributing to long term food security and healthier communities.
School Nutrition Program
The School Nutrition Projects (SNP) program provides nutritious meals to students in selected Northern Territory communities. SNP aims to:
- Provide healthy and nutritious meals for students from Transition to Year 12.
- Improve school attendance, engagement, and educational outcomes.
- Create local employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- Support local employment and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and businesses.
Through SNP, National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) grant recipients deliver a combination of breakfast, morning tea, lunch and/or afternoon tea to students attending school. All meals are prepared in accordance with the Northern Territory Department of Education’s School Nutrition and Healthy Eating Policy and the relevant national nutrition standards