Abbott suggests remote areas grow own food

The prime minister says people in remote areas shouldn't expect a government subsidy for fresh food and instead wants a return to community gardens.

Prime minister Tony Abbott helps build a garden bed at a local hall in Injinoo, the Northern Peninsular Area, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2015. (AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy) Source: AAP

Australians in remote areas shouldn't hold their breath waiting for the government to subsidise the cost of fresh food, Prime Minister Tony Abbott says.

While fresh food is more expensive in remote communities than in Sydney or Melbourne, supermarkets do a good job at getting high quality food to "very, very remote places", he told ABC radio on Friday.

Mr Abbott says he would "very much counsel" people against expecting a government subsidy, instead suggesting a return to community gardens.