Outback Stores is hosting four Nutrition and Dietetic students from Monash University who have been working on a project for the past 8 weeks to develop key potential recommendations to reduce the consumption of table sugar in remote communities.

Each year Outback Stores’ nutrition policy contributes to a reduction in the sale of sugary drinks in communities, as well as increased sales of fresh fruit and vegetables. However table sugar remains one of the key contributors to sugar consumption in remote communities.

Ciara, Jasmine, Maryam and Adelaide started their research scoping the available literature and from there gathered information by conducting face to face interviews in community and investigating company sales data.

They visited remote communities to meet community members, discuss table sugar usage and run nutrition education sessions with the local schools.

They identified that the most common usage of table sugar in communities is with tea, coffee and cereal, and are working on suggested alternatives as part of their project.

The students from Monash University hope that the recommendations from their project may reduce sugar intake in remote communities, which is the primary cause of type 2 diabetes.

1 in 10 adults worldwide have diabetes. Over 90% have type 2 diabetes. Close to half are not yet diagnosed.

– WorldDiabetesDay.org

Uraro Store in Kalumburu (WA) has got a new look! With new shelving, new fridges and an improved layout, the store now has an increased range of fresh food, pantry items and frozen food.

Clement Maralpabj is the chairperson of Kalumburu Aboriginal Corporation (KAC) and says that the local residents are very happy with the improvements.

“We’ve got more space to do our shopping and there’s more food too.” He adds that the increased range of children’s toys and clothing has also been popular.

Outback Stores has been working in Kalumburu since 2014, when the KAC invited Outback Stores to assist them in lifting store standards and management practices. The recent refurbishments were paid by store profits, which remain with the community for distribution by agreement of the store’s local board of directors.

Everyone is happy with the changes. There’s more food for sale and more toys for the kids. 

– Clement Maralpabi

Outback Stores are currently hosting four Nutrition and Dietetic students from Monash University – Adelaide, Maryam, Jasmine and Ciara. They will be with us for ten weeks until the 17th of November.

Year after year Outback Stores continues to support positive health outcomes for remote communities. Although full-sugar soft drink sales have reduced over the years due to nutrition strategies, dry table sugar remains the highest contributor to sugar sales.

With this in mind, the student project will explore barriers, limitations and enablers for reducing the consumption of table sugar within remote Indigenous communities and develop key recommendations to combat table sugar sales within Outback Stores managed locations. In addition to this, the students will learn the importance of developing cultural safety outlines and the significance of developing key stakeholder relationships.

A new part of their placement is mapping the food supply within the context of this organisation, involving meetings with key stakeholders and suppliers.

We look forward to supporting the students’ journey throughout their placement!

The Aputula Store in Finke (NT) has been completely refurbished, with both locals and visitors impressed with the results.

“The community is so excited and happy about how the shop looks. When family members visit from other communities they say ‘Wow, what happened here?’ And then they tell their store managers back in their own community how good it looks,” says Charmaine Stuart, chairperson of the Aputula Aboriginal Corporation (AAC).

Thanks to grant funding from the National Indigenous Australians Agency, Aputula Store has doubled its floor space and has new ceilings, floors and all new fixtures – including chiller and fridge storage, hot and cold takeaway options, and fruit and veg displays. There are over 400 new items now available for sale, spanning all categories.

“There’s more food on the shelves, and more space to do shopping. It’s an exciting thing for the community. They are proud of the corporation working together with Outback Stores and they feel well looked after,” says Charmaine.

There’s more food on the shelves, and more space to do shopping. It’s an exciting thing for the community.

– Charmaine Stuart