Food security
When AIG started working with remote store owners in 2013, we saw many concerning practices, including unreasonably high prices, poor quality food, limited product range, and lack of community inclusion in governance.
After observing these poor store management practices for five years, we were compelled to set a new standard. In 2018, the board directed us to enter the community store management environment due to the board’s and community’s concerns.
Our mandate was to disrupt the market, increase competition and develop an alternative store model that delivers quality food at affordable prices. At the core of our model was a social enterprise, providing a community store that could support the community and generate wealth that could be recycled back into the community, driving social change and stimulating economic growth.
What we have achieved
Since 2018, we have managed stores in Timber Creek, Barunga, Yarralin and Wirrimanu, ensuring these communities can access food, beverages and essential items at the lowest possible price points.
Our store management philosophy of encouraging healthy choices through pricing, keeping fruit, vegetables, eggs, and meat at cost, and incorporating our Mob’s Choice range has successfully matched bigger store prices.
Store management models
We’re very proud of what we’ve achieved in a short period and believe our success is because of our management model.
The strength of the AIG model is:
- Trust – lower price points create shopper trust in value for money
- Mob’s Choice – our essentials brand matches Woolworths pricing in Katherine
- Store owner involvement – owners set prices, decide on the range and assist with Aboriginal employment in the store
- Product placement – our stores have healthy value-for-money products at eye level and are easily accessible throughout the store
- Fruit, vegetables and meat at cost price – since making healthy essentials more affordable, fruit and vegetable sales have increased by up to 148 per cent
- Policy of preferred Aboriginal employment.
Work with us
As of July 2024, we commence a new approach to supporting food security for remote Indigenous communities, offering consultancy services as part of our business support services.
Contact our CEO, Liz Morgan-Brett, via info@aiggroup.org.au or (08) 8922 2666 to work with us.
