Maybe another announcement due today. Media Release: February...

Maybe another announcement due today.

Media Release: February 12, 2018
Owned by the Yolngu residents of Minjilang, Milingimbi, Ramingining, Galiwin’ku, and Gapuwiyak Communities, NT ICN:7137
ALPA sources affordable baby formula
An Australian-made premium baby formula will be sold for the affordable price of $29.95 at stores in remote Indigenous communities in Far North Queensland and the Northern Territory.
The Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation (ALPA) has worked with Wattle Health Australia Limited to stock their newly developed GoldCare+ infant formula for the same price that it will retail for online and in urban areas.
ALPA Chief Executive Officer Alastair King said Australia’s largest Indigenous corporation was delighted to partner with an Australian manufacturer who shared their vision to offer affordable premium products to improve health benefits in remote communities.
“Wattle Health GoldCare+ will be stocked across 27 stores either owned or managed by ALPA across the Northern Territory and Far North Queensland,” he said.
“Supplying affordable goods in remote areas is not easy and in this instance, meant the manufacturer, wholesalers and stores are all operating at a reduced margin to ensure this premium infant formula is available for $29.95.”
Wattle Health Australia Limited Executive Chairman and Co-Founder Lazarus Karasavvidis said the company was proud to form a partnership with ALPA to ensure Indigenous communities could access a necessity like infant formula at an affordable price.
“We are proud to be part of such a meaningful initiative with ALPA and their Queensland retailer Island & Cape that is aiming to close the gap in health for Indigenous Australians.
“Wattle Health Australia GoldCare+ is manufactured in Australia, using Australian grass-fed cow’s milk with a balance of vitamins, minerals and ingredients that target key areas for infant growth”, he said.
ALPA nutritionist Tracey Fitzgibbon said breast milk remained the best food source for babies, but mothers unable to feed their infant needed access to a quality product at a reasonable price.
Continued page 2...
70 O'Sullivan Circuit, East Arm NT 0828 | GPO Box 3825 Darwin NT 0801 | ABN: 52 755 430 387 Ph: 08 8944 6444 | Fax: 08 8944 6400 | Email: [email protected] | Web: www.alpa.asn.au
“Wattle Health Australia GoldCare+ has the ingredients essential for balanced nutrition, brain development, healthy eyes and assistance in building the immune system so it made sense to partner with this Australian company,” she said.
Mr King said ALPA was committed to ensuring fruit and vegetables, dairy, meat, water and essential grocery items like baby formula were sold at the lowest possible price in the corporation’s stores.
“ALPA’s policy is to have lower margins on essential healthy products,” he said.
“Access to fresh healthy food is critical to close the gap in health for Indigenous Australians and is a constant challenge in remote areas where freight costs push up the price of produce.
“We employ a nutritionist on staff as a cost to our business to promote healthy food and work with our merchandise and retail team to ensure we have expert advice and support for them.”
ALPA started in 1972 as an Arnhem Land co-operative of remote community stores and has grown to become the largest Indigenous corporation in Australia.
The fully Indigenous owned and financially independent corporation employs more than 1000 (84 per cent) Indigenous people in its remote retail stores and last year ALPA invested $16 million back into the communities where it operates.
Queensland-based Island & Cape is a not-for-profit business owned by the Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation (ALPA) as part of its mission to deliver services, jobs, and training to remote Indigenous communities.
The Boards of ALPA and Island & Cape share a vision of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders coming together across the far north of Australia in business.
ENDS
For more information, contact:
Liz Inglis Media & Communications 0419 643 494 or [email protected]
70 O'Sullivan Circuit, East Arm NT 0828 | GPO Box 3825 Darwin NT 0801 | ABN: 52 755 430 387 Ph: 08 8944 6444 | Fax: 08 8944 6400 | Email: [email protected] | Web: www.alpa.asn.au