Indigenous Health Minister Launches Food Summit
Minister for Indigenous Health, Warren Snowdon, launched the Fresh Food Summit of the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT).
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Joint Release
The Hon Warren Snowdon MP
Minister For Indigenous Health, Rural And Regional Health
And Regional Services Delivery
The Hon Jenny Macklin MP
Minister Indigenous Affairs
5 May 2010Community driven nutritional programs are critical to improving the health outcomes of Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory, Minister for Indigenous Health, Warren Snowdon, said today in Tennant Creek.
Launching the Fresh Food Summit of the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT), attended by about 200 Territory and interstate delegates, Mr Snowdon said he was pleased the Australian Government could support this gathering to take place.
“Fresh food is an essential part of traditional Aboriginal culture. It’s great to see the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT), which represent Aboriginal Medical Services across Territory, initiate today’s food summit.
“A great example of how community driven nutritional programs can make a difference is illustrated in the community of Amata in remote South Australia,” Mr Snowdon said.
In 2008, the Amata Community Council ordered the local store to stop selling soft drinks and energy drinks with high sugar levels.
“It's estimated this move reduced intake of high-sugar drinks in the community by 43,000 litres, or 4.3 tonnes of sugar. That’s a great result for the health of the community,” he said.
Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin said this kind of community leadership complimented the Australian Government’s Northern Territory community stores licensing scheme. A total of 88 community stores have been licensed under the scheme.
“Store operators are reporting people in most of these communities are now buying more healthy food, including fresh fruit and vegetables,” Ms Macklin said.
The licensing scheme complements the Rudd Government’s $805.5 million investment to Closing the Gap in Indigenous health outcomes.
“$35.6 million of this funding will be invested in Healthy lifestyle workers across Australia.
“These workers will be employed through frontline healthcare services to help improve nutrition and increase physical activity in communities – to overcome two of the main causes of preventable chronic diseases in at risk individuals and families,” Mr Snowdon said.
Media contact: Alice Plate 0400 045 999
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