Fed: Dietitians call for cuts to food prices

AAP General News (Australia)
04-02-2009
Fed: Dietitians call for cuts to food prices

Dietitians have called on the Rudd government to do more to ensure people living in
remote Aboriginal communities have access to fresh and healthy food.

A parliamentary inquiry into the cost and quality of food in remote community stores
in Cape York and the Torres Strait is underway .. investigating its effect on the local
population.

In its submission .. The Dieticians Association of Australia says a basket of healthy
food costs 30 per cent more in remote areas compared to major cities .. contributing to
residents' poor diets.

The Association recommends linking individual stores under a group model to improve
buying power and providing funding for a nutritionist or dietitian to be employed by the
group.

It also recommends residents' social security payments be quarantined and replaced
with food stamps.

AAP RTV ews/pjo/ka

KEYWORD: STORES (CAIRNS)

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