MEDIA RELEASE: JUNK FOOD IS CHEAPER THAN FRESH FRUIT AND VEGIES IN MANY ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES
1 August 2006
Sister Joan Healy of the Josephite Leaders' Social Action Group, has just returned from a visit to the Anangu Pitjanjatjara Yakunytjatjara Lands in South Australia.
She said that after listening to many mothers and grandmothers, concerned about their children, she was surprised and distressed to find that the most frequently mentioned need was affordable, nourishing food.
Aboriginal women were angry about comments made by Health Minister Tony Abbott, reported in the Australian last week, where he said that while he would not rule out subsidising the cost of fresh food, it would happen only if communities committed to changing their diet, eating less and exercising.
The women said their children need more to eat, not less. But they need the right kind of food.
"Junk food is cheaper than fresh fruit and vegies in many communities," Sr Healy said.
"Chicken and chips cost $3 a serve, but broccoli is $3 for a single floret and apples and oranges are up to $2 each. Fruit and vegetables are priced by the piece.
"Poor quality mince is $18 a kilo and stewing steak is around $25 a kilo. Baby formula is beyond the budget of most families, but breast feeding mothers need nourishing food," Sr Healy said.
"It's not a matter of not knowing the facts.
"These women know what is best for their children. They don't want to feed their children 'rubbish food'. But when their children are hungry they feed them whatever they can afford.
"But good things are happening in the APY Lands.
"The women talked about the music shed where young people gather to play music and have a feed. One woman said the young ones used to break school windows, but now when they can play music and dance and have a feed there is much less trouble.
"The band shed closes at 9.00 o'clock and the women say there is much less petrol sniffing. They say 'people not hungry, not bored, that's the answer'.
Sr Healy said a regular supply of affordable, good quality, fresh fruit and vegetables is a much cheaper alternative to kidney dialysis and the other health complications caused by inadequate diet.
CONTACT:
Joan Healy, 02 8912 4872 / 0417 681 145
Judith Tokley, Public Affairs, Catholic Social Services Australia 0408 824 306
Sister Joan Healy of the Josephite Leaders' Social Action Group, has just returned from a visit to the Anangu Pitjanjatjara Yakunytjatjara Lands in South Australia.
She said that after listening to many mothers and grandmothers, concerned about their children, she was surprised and distressed to find that the most frequently mentioned need was affordable, nourishing food.
Aboriginal women were angry about comments made by Health Minister Tony Abbott, reported in the Australian last week, where he said that while he would not rule out subsidising the cost of fresh food, it would happen only if communities committed to changing their diet, eating less and exercising.
The women said their children need more to eat, not less. But they need the right kind of food.
"Junk food is cheaper than fresh fruit and vegies in many communities," Sr Healy said.
"Chicken and chips cost $3 a serve, but broccoli is $3 for a single floret and apples and oranges are up to $2 each. Fruit and vegetables are priced by the piece.
"Poor quality mince is $18 a kilo and stewing steak is around $25 a kilo. Baby formula is beyond the budget of most families, but breast feeding mothers need nourishing food," Sr Healy said.
"It's not a matter of not knowing the facts.
"These women know what is best for their children. They don't want to feed their children 'rubbish food'. But when their children are hungry they feed them whatever they can afford.
"But good things are happening in the APY Lands.
"The women talked about the music shed where young people gather to play music and have a feed. One woman said the young ones used to break school windows, but now when they can play music and dance and have a feed there is much less trouble.
"The band shed closes at 9.00 o'clock and the women say there is much less petrol sniffing. They say 'people not hungry, not bored, that's the answer'.
Sr Healy said a regular supply of affordable, good quality, fresh fruit and vegetables is a much cheaper alternative to kidney dialysis and the other health complications caused by inadequate diet.
CONTACT:
Joan Healy, 02 8912 4872 / 0417 681 145
Judith Tokley, Public Affairs, Catholic Social Services Australia 0408 824 306
posted by Anon at 1:09 PM
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