The ALPA board has invested in the ALPA Nutrition Program for the past 20 years. The board’s longstanding dedication to nutrition in remote stores has been recognised by the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) who have selected ALPA to lead the national Nutrition Workforce Program.

Introducing the program team

ALPA nutritionists Laura Baddeley, Sarah Funston, and Sarah Purdy are joined by recently recruited nutritionists Georgina Myerscough, Sarah Robertson, and Celia Innerarity to continue maintaining healthy store environments and ensuring the quality delivery of the Nutrition Workforce program. 

A special mention goes to Celia Innerarity, who has relocated to Galiwin’ku in East Arnhem Land, and will be delivering the program across Elcho, Buthan, Millingimbi and Ramingining stores. Celia brings experience delivering remote nutrition programs in North Queensland and is well situated to continue strengthening ALPA’s nutrition program.

ALPA nutritionist Sarah Funston takes on the role as the Nutrition Workforce Manager bringing with her a strong involvement in the program's initial development. In 2023, a preliminary version of the Good Food People was built through collaboration with ALPA’s Chairperson, Faye Matjarra, Board Members, and East Arnhem community members. The community-based workshops determined how the program would best be delivered and what the training resources should include. Sarah will support the team’s nutritionists, alongside the Health and Nutrition Manager Laura Baddeley, to deliver quality training to the First Nations Nutrition Workforce (Good Food People).

The team’s First Nations Nutrition Workforce mentors, Nicole Dhurrkay and Matilda Walker, will work to ensure a culturally appropriate delivery of the program, and that the Good Food People receive adequate support. Finally, the team’s administration officer, Greeshma, will provide vital logistical support, enabling the delivery of focused and high-quality training to Good Food People on the ground.

Current progress of the program

The Nutrition Workforce program will improve health outcomes in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities by building local capacity to support and maintain healthier store environments.

Nutritionists have already commenced initial visits to Gapuwiyak, Galiwin’ku, Hope Vale, and Pirlangimpi to introduce the program and enrol the first Good Food People into the program. The Good Food People will start training in the foundational knowledge of store nutrition including how a store environment influences our in-store purchases, what we eat and consequently our health.

They will then progress to specialised training in either the fruit and vegetable department, preparing healthy takeaway, and/or nutrition policy and health promotion. Training will include online theory modules to be completed side-by-side with the nutritionist, as well as practical, hands-on in-store learning.

Currently, the team has enrolled four Good Food People into the program. We can’t wait to see this program grow over the coming months.

Read more about the foundations of the program: ALPA to lead national Nutrition Workforce program