More than 50 local community members are now working as Good Food People in remote stores across Western Australia, the Northern Territory, far north Queensland and South Australia through the Albanese Labor Government’s First Nations Nutrition Workforce.
Good Food People nutrition workers are creating and maintaining healthier store environments by sharing nutrition knowledge with community members, implementing nutrition policies in their stores and creating healthy takeaway options.
Good Food People also build their skills through specialised training and support from qualified nutritionists.
Since the program began in August 2025, Good Food People have been working in 38 remote stores, helping communities make healthier food choices.
Nutrition workers are now based in stores in the following remote communities:
- Ardyaloon (One Arm Point), Beagle Bay, Kalumburu, Noonkanbah (Yungngora) and Warmun (Turkey Creek) in Western Australia.
- Ali Curung, Barunga, Beswick, Bulman, Canteen Creek, Daly River, Galiwin’ku, Gapuwiyak, Engawala, Hermannsburg, Jilkminggan, Kalkaringi, Laramba, Maningrida, Minjilang, Ngukurr, Numbulwar, Nyirripi, Peppimenarti, Ramingining, Santa Teresa, Titijikala and Yarralin in the Northern Territory.
- Badu Island, Boigu, Hope Vale, Saibai, St Pauls (Moa Island), Thursday Island (Waibene) and Yam Island (Iama) in Queensland.
- Iwantja and Mimili in South Australia.
By June 2028, the nutrition workforce is expected to double to 100 jobs with Good Food People in communities across the country, strengthening local leadership and supporting better health outcomes through community-led solutions.
The Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation is leading the delivery of the program, in partnership with Community Enterprise Queensland and Outback Stores.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy:
“More than 50 local people are already working as Good Food People, and the Albanese Labor Government is doubling that to 100 workers across remote communities by June 2028.
“This nutrition program is helping people make heathier food choices for themselves and their families.
“By creating local jobs and supporting community-led nutrition initiatives, the program is contributing to Closing the Gap outcomes by improving health, wellbeing and economic participation for First Nations people.”
Quotes attributable to Special Envoy for Remote Communities, Member for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour MP:
“The Good Food People program works with communities to find practical, locally led ways to improve nutrition. This strengthens local leadership and supports better health outcomes rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.
“As Special Envoy for Remote Communities, I know that strong remote communities are built when local people have the skills, opportunities and support to lead solutions themselves.
“Expanding the workforce with more Good Food People across remote Australia is an important step towards creating stronger, healthier and more resilient communities.”
Quotes attributable to Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation (ALPA), CEO, Kyle Nacard:
“One of the things I'm most proud of is seeing people build skills, confidence, and leadership in their own First Nation communities. Good Food People are not only gaining practical knowledge about nutrition and healthy food retailing, they're helping create healthier store environments for families across remote Australia. The commitment shown by everyone involved in the program's first year has been outstanding, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact continue to grow over the years ahead. On behalf of all participating store networks, we recognise the initiative from the National Indigenous Australians Agency and for their strategic support.”
Quotes attributable to Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation (ALPA) First Nations Mentor, Matilda Walker:
“Being a part of the Good Food People program has been a hugely rewarding experience. I think for me, it’s not just about healthy food - but also about our people, our connections, our opportunities and our communities.”
Quotes attributable to Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation (ALPA) First Nations Mentor, Keely Jingles:
“The difference it makes is already evident and I am proud to be a part of something that really matters to us and our mob. I can proudly say that the program brings life, learning and determination to our community’s future health workforce.”
Quotes attributable to Community Enterprise Queensland (CEQ), CEO, Michael Dykes:
"Reaching 50 Good Food People across our combined store networks is a milestone to celebrate and an achievement to be incredibly proud of.
"At CEQ, we see first-hand how these positions are bringing real job opportunities into each community. They're so much more than employment – giving local people the skills, confidence, and platform to lead healthy changes from within."