Local Pennie Cowin is calling on the town’s only supermarket to look after its community better by stocking essential items for residents with special dietary needs.

Pennie suffers from Celiac disease, a chronic digestive and immune disorder that damages the small intestine.

She says she’s sick and tired of the Tennant Creek IGA’s low selection and sometimes zero stock of gluten-free products.

“I am not gluten-free by choice, and it frustrates me the IGA can’t even stock the basic staples, and I am forced to shop online, which can take weeks to arrive,” said Pennie.

“I spent up to $500 each fortnight to order in products I can freeze so I can at least eat because I can’t rely on the supermarket to shop.”

Pennie says she has approached supermarket staff and written to the CEO of IRAM, the company that manages the Julalikari and Indigenous Business Australia-owned supermarket, with no results.

Gluten-free products aside, Pennie says many residents are frustrated with the store’s lack of other essentials, such as pet food, basic herbs and even at times bread and milk.

“The managers of IGA need to start taking a bit of pride and provide a better service to its Barkly customers,” she said. 

This article appeared in Tennant & District Times, 1 September 2023.