Urapunga Store’s sugar cut success

Remote people of Urapunga in the Northern Territory have reduced use of sugary beverages by 43% in the past year, due to a variety of sugar-reduction steps executed at their local grocery retail store.

Urapunga Keep, operated by the Urapunga Aboriginal Corporation and serviced by Outback Outlets, has limited the sizing of comfortable drinks offered, and implemented “Sugar-Free Wednesdays” – a day in which no comprehensive-sugar gentle beverages are accessible for buy.

“We knew the group was consuming too a great deal sugar, so we arrived up with a program to begin changing that,” explained Antonella Pascoe, board member of Urapunga Aboriginal Company. “As administrators of the retail store, we felt like we could make a good alter.”

In the very first 6 months, the proportion of sugary beverages bought has fallen by 4.7% which equates to 1,921 litres, or twelve bathtubs fewer of total-sugar smooth consume eaten in the group.

“We know that the local community is now consuming fewer sugar,” says Ms Pascoe. “One of the finest factors is the way it has designed the community assume about what they are ingesting, even on times when they can buy sugary drinks.

Distant suppliers tackle sugar intake

Urapunga joins a expanding list of NT communities striving to lessen sugar usage as a result of solid, community-led choice producing, these as Engawala, Santa Teresa and Ali Curung.

“We enjoy to see group leaders having motion to strengthen wellbeing results and are usually keen to support in employing the steps they decide on,” suggests outback Shops Wellbeing and Nutrition Supervisor Anna Murison.

Due to the fact 2012, the proportion of comprehensive-sugar drinks has lowered by 34% throughout merchants serviced by Outback Outlets. In the very same time period, the proportion of drinking water bought has elevated by 131% and that of sugar-absolutely free drinks has improved by 89%.

These healthful results are driven by community store directors wanting to tackle diet-related overall health issues, in line with Outback Stores’ Nutritious Foods Policy.

More healthy neighborhood and organization

Urapunga is located 600km south-east of Darwin, on the southern edge of Arnhem Land, and is home to all around 100 people today.

The Urapunga Aboriginal Corporation initial approached Outback Retailers in 2019, when the retail outlet was facing major challenges thanks to mismanagement and personal debt. Currently the store is in a a lot superior money standing, with new fittings and updates and a superior range of balanced food.

“The shop appears to be like a lot far better,” claims James Woods, director of Urapunga Aboriginal Company. “There’s a lot more foods on the shelves, the products and solutions are well worth obtaining and the prices are much less expensive way too.”