Overview

• The federal government will ensure prices for 30 essential grocery items in 76 remote stores match those in metropolitan areas, starting in July 2025.
• The $50 million subsidy over four years aims to alleviate the high cost of living in remote communities, where grocery prices can be more than double those in cities.
• The policy addresses logistical challenges like high freight costs and limited competition, which contribute to inflated prices in remote areas.
• Health concerns, including high rates of diabetes and kidney disease in Indigenous communities, are a key focus, with the initiative promoting access to nutritious food.
• The measure is part of the annual Closing the Gap statement, which reported limited progress on key targets, with only five of 19 goals currently on track.