ALPA was founded on our retail arm in 1972, purchasing our first store in Ramingining. It was with a strong vision to make sure we had a reliable source of nutritious food in Arnhem Land that we expanded our stores to other communities. 

With creating jobs and economic independence in mind for Yolngu people our Member Stores were established and have been successfully operating ever since, under the direction of the ALPA Board and Store Committees.

Our Indigenous workforce ensures that we are providing local employment and ensuring quality products and services to our community's. We also operate in Far North Queensland under Island and Cape and manage stores on behalf of other Aboriginal Corporations and Councils.

Our 5 Member Store Locations:

Galiwin'ku (Elcho Island)

ALPA is also one of the main employers of the community, providing real jobs for a dedicated workforce of Yolngu people. 90% of the workers at our stores are Yolngu and the store has been successful at delivering training to staff to ensure they have the appropriate qualifications needed for their work. This store is extremely busy, turning over a significant amount of products each week, which arrive each week via barge to the island. ALPA is the main supermarket in the community and has also opened a second store at the Buthan subdivision, which provides additional employment and convenience for the Buthan area of the community.

Gapuwiyak (Lake Evella)

Our Gapuwiyak store is the only store in the community and is located between Galiwin'ku and Nhulunbuy on the banks of the Buckingham River. The barge road is gravel and accessible all year round and caters to a population of nearly 1000. 

Milingimbi (Yurriwi)

The Milingimbi store is the lifeblood of the community, being the only store on the island, it is a central meeting place for the community. The existing store was built in 1991, and since then it has more than doubled in size with upgraded takeaway facilities and extended trading hours. Goods for the supermarket arrive via barge which arrives just opposite the store. Many of the Yolngu staff at the Yurrwi Store have worked for over 5 years and have built the store into one of the most successful in the ALPA group of stores. 90% of the store staff are indigenous, and the store gives back to the community through an established benevolent program.

Minjilang (Croker Island)

ALPA is the only supermarket on the community, delivering a wide range of food and products, as well as contributing to many local initiatives and local events, giving back to the community through an established benevolent program. ALPA is also one of the main employers of the community, delivering training to staff to ensure they have the appropriate qualifications needed for their work. There is also a small takeaway store run out of the store. All freight for the ALPA store is barged to the community on a weekly service.

Ramingining

ALPA is the only supermarket on the community, delivering a wide range of food and products, as well as contributing to many local initiatives and local events, giving back to the community through an established benevolent program. ALPA is also one of the main employers of the community, providing real jobs for a dedicated workforce of Yolngu people. 90% of the workers at the ALPA Ramingining store are Yolngu and the store has been successful at delivering training to staff to ensure they have the appropriate qualifications needed for their work. There is also a small takeaway store run out of the ALPA store. All freight for the ALPA store is barged to the community on a weekly service. The barge landing is located on the north coast 30 km from the community.