Media Releases
Fresh Thinking Needed for Fresher Food
Outback Stores in remote Indigenous communities have done nothing to improve healthy eating in these areas, argues a new report released by The Centre for Independent Studies (CIS) this week.
In Shopping for Health Sara Hudson, CIS Policy Analyst, examines the reasons why Indigenous Australians living in remote communities are more likely to have diets high in refined sugars, saturated fats and be obese or develop type 2 diabetes.
‘Healthy eating campaigns haven’t helped. There is no point in knowing what is good for you, if you can’t buy it at your local shop,’ says Sara Hudson.
The government established Outback Stores Company was designed to address to shortage of fruit and vegetables in these communities. The Outback Stores have gone some way to improving management of stores, but have provided little in the way of greater access to healthy, fresh food for these communities.
‘Even when the Outback Stores do have fresh fruit and vegetables, they can be of poor quality and very expensive due to lack of competition.’
Providing retail services for remote communities will always have inherent difficulties, but most non-Indigenous towns of comparable size manage to have thriving shops, service stations and even motels. In contrast most remote Indigenous communities only have one store.
‘Outback Stores and the millions spent on healthy eating campaigns are clearly not working, the government needs to look at strategies that support diversity in stores and encourage communities to be self reliant.’
Remote Indigenous communities, where possible, should be helped to grow their own fresh fruit and vegetables. This would ensure some supply of fresh food even when roads were closed and encourage individual responsibility for healthy eating.
Outback Stores should only be used to fill gaps in services, wherever possible competition and community run stores should be encouraged. Outback Stores should not be allowed to operate in communities with 500 or more people, as due to their government funding they have the potential to stifle competition.
‘Unfortunately, until structural impediments to reform including the lack of private property rights and the permit system are addressed, remote Indigenous communities will be served stale food due to stale policy responses.’
Sara Hudson is a Policy Analyst at The Centre for Independent Studies. She is available for comment.
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