Cape Barren Island, located off the north-eastern coast of Tasmania, serves a small community of about 80 people, predominantly Indigenous. The island's only shop, managed by the Cape Barren Island Aboriginal Association, faces significant logistical challenges in keeping its shelves stocked due to the island's remoteness. A monthly barge delivers essential supplies, including fresh food and fuel, while a mail delivery plane contributes additional items three times a week, but both methods struggle to meet the community's needs consistently.

The community experiences particular difficulties with access to dairy products, which are often in short supply. Local shop attendant Kathryn Longey emphasizes the rush of customers following the barge's arrival, indicating that securing stock is hectic. The high cost of food and the limited variety available at the shop highlight the broader issue of food insecurity faced by many Indigenous households in remote areas of Australia, where groceries can be several times more expensive than in urban centers.

Truwana/Cape Barren Island's food challenges reflect a wider national trend where Indigenous Australians in remote regions face barriers to accessing affordable and nutritious food. The community's reliance on traditional and greenhouse-grown foods is an important aspect of their effort to maintain a sustainable food supply and preserve cultural practices, yet the ongoing struggle for consistent access to quality products and reasonable prices remains a significant hurdle for residents.