THE EFFECT OF RETAIL STORE MANAGERS ON ABORIGINAL DIET IN REMOTE COMMUNITIES

Key nutrient densities of the diet of two remote northern coastal Abor iginal communities were measured using the store-turnover method durin g the periods that three store managers were responsible for each stor e respectively. Individual store managers were a greater determinant o f nutrient density than the community itself; Furthermore, nutrient de nsities tended to be highest in both communities when their stores wer e administered by one particular store manager The results support the notion that store managers wield considerable power over the food sup ply of remote Aboriginal communities, and raise questions concerning t he ability of Aboriginal community members to influence their own food supplies in retail stores. However, the study also confirms that stor e managers can be important allies in efforts to improve Aboriginal di etary intake.