Traditional Owners of Bagala Community Store supported by Outback Stores, LiveLighter and the Heart Foundation are making healthier choices easier for the community.

A 600 ml bottle of cola has 16 teaspoons of sugar.

The World Health Organisation recommends less than 13 teaspoons of sugar per day because of links to poor oral health and obesity which increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some cancers.

In terms of sugar less than 6 teaspoons is linked with better health.

“Too much sugar is a bad thing, we have made this decision not only for our people, but for the people that come from all over to the Barunga Festival” said Traditional Owner and Chairperson of the Bagala Store Esther Bulumbara.

The community has a history of leading the way for other communities, the store is the only fully Indigenous owned and operated community store in the Northern Territory.

“This is a good thing for the festival and sends a strong message to other communities,” said store manager Amelita John.

Festival goers will also get the chance to find out more about the importance of good health and nutrition at the Menzies School of Health Research mobile HealthLAB during the Festival.

The LiveLighter program and Menzies School of Health Research HealthLAB are supported by the Heart Foundation NT with funding from the Northern Territory Government.

This year’s festival marks the 30th anniversary of the Barunga Statement.

The statement was presented to Prime Minister Bob Hawke and called for Aboriginal self-management, a national system of land rights, compensation for loss of lands, respect for Aboriginal identity, an end to discrimination, and the granting of full civil, economic, social and cultural rights.

The festival will be held in the Barunga Community, on June 8-10.

Music acts announced.