Community Enterprise Queensland (CEQ) and Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation (ALPA) have formalised a significant new partnership to deliver the Good Food People program in remote communities across North Queensland, supporting healthier food choices and building a local First Nations nutrition workforce.
The agreement, signed in Cairns last night (Thursday 12 March), forms part of the Australian Government’s National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) Food Security and Nutrition Workforce Program, which recognises remote retail as a key setting to improve health and nutrition outcomes.
Through the program, CEQ will receive $5.88 million over three years to help establish and grow a community-based nutrition workforce across its remote North Queensland store network.
The initiative will see locally-employed Good Food People trained to support healthier food choices in their communities, backed by qualified nutritionists who will mentor and support the workforce through practical training and education.
CEQ Chief Executive Officer Michael Dykes said the partnership represents an important step in strengthening food security and health outcomes in remote communities.
“Our stores are at the heart of the communities we serve, and they play a vital role in shaping access to healthy food,” Mr Dykes said.
“The Good Food People program will empower local First Nations team members to become leaders in nutrition and wellbeing in their own communities.
“By building a locally-based nutrition workforce, we can help create long-term change that supports healthier food environments and better health outcomes for families across remote Queensland.”
ALPA, which holds the head agreement for the national program, has played a leading role in developing the Good Food People model through community workshops and the creation of tailored training resources.
ALPA CEO Alastair King said ALPA is incredibly proud to lead the Good Food People program.
“This program was originally developed by ALPA many years ago, so to see it continuing to grow and support communities is something we are very proud of as an organisation,” said Mr King.
“It’s fantastic to be working alongside CEQ – supporting good food and making it available through local people, for local people.
“Together, we can make a real difference in strengthening nutrition, building local skills and creating healthier communities across remote First Nations communities.”
The program is being rolled out in stages, beginning with the recruitment and training of seven Good Food People, supported by a dedicated nutritionist.
The workforce is expected to grow significantly over the next three years as the program expands across remote stores, with 35 Good Food People and three nutritionists to be employed by 2028.
Good Food People will work within stores to support nutrition education, promote healthier food options, improve fresh food departments, and help develop healthier takeaway and café offerings.
“The partnership highlights the role of remote community stores as powerful platforms for improving food security, strengthening community wellbeing and creating meaningful local employment opportunities,” added Mr Dykes.
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About CEQ
CEQ is a not-for-profit organisation responsible for providing goods and essential services to the Torres Strait, Cape York Peninsula and in Doomadgee and on Palm Island through its 31 stores. Of all the remote team members employed at CEQ, 90 per cent identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples.
CEQ manages Islanders Board of Industry and Service (IBIS) and Aboriginal Business, Industry and Service (ABIS) stores, as well as other stores including Col Jones, Mona’s Bazaar and Mitre 10 on Waibene and Community Home & Hardware in Bamaga.
For more information on CEQ, visit www.ceqld.org.au
