How Sharing Groceries is Bringing Back the Neighbourhood
Once upon a time, groceries came with a smile and a chat, not a barcode and a beep. Neighbours swapped recipes as easily as they swapped zucchinis, and the corner shop was as much a meeting place as a store. Now, a new wave of community-led groceries called Box Divvy is bringing that spirit back — and farmers are finally getting a fairer share.
From a humble street co-op started by husband-and-wife duo Jayne Travers-Drapes and Anton van den Berg, Box Divvy has helped over 15,000 households enjoy fresh produce and pantry staples at prices around 30% cheaper than supermarkets.
Box Divvy has grown into a modern online food network with more than 330 neighbourhood hubs across NSW and the ACT, and now it has begun it first local hub in Victoria.
A Simple Idea That Feels Like Home
Box Divvy isn’t a supermarket and it isn’t an app. It’s something far more human.
Neighbours pool their orders for fruit, veg and pantry staples, farmers deliver straight to the hubs — often a garage, community hall, or someone’s back verandah — and everyone meets up once a week to collect their box.
There’s usually a chat or two, a recipe swap, and a sense that shopping has suddenly become sociable again.
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Food That’s Good for People and the Planet
What makes it even sweeter is where the food comes from. Instead of mass imports and over-packaged produce, Box Divvy sources from mostly Australian farmers and family growers.
Many are already embracing regenerative and organic practices, built on permaculture’s simple idea that healthy soil makes healthy food and healthy communities. It’s broccoli from the Mornington Peninsula, apples from regional orchards, and lettuce that still tastes like lettuce.
A joint study by Western Sydney University and the University of Wollongong found that after joining Box Divvy, food insecurity among members fell from 51% to 28%, while fruit and veg intake climbed — clear proof that community-led models can make a real difference at the dinner table.
A Win for Farmers and Families
For growers, the model is a lifeline. Mornington farmer Paul Gazzola puts it simply: “It’s another income stream that helps farmers stay financially sustainable — and keeps good food flowing straight into the community.”
For families, it means food that’s around 30% cheaper than the big chains, with total transparency about where the money goes. Everyone knows what the farmer earned and what the family saved — and that honesty builds trust.
Neighbours at the Heart
The first Victorian hub has just opened in Templestowe, with more sprouting soon in Sunbury and Croydon North.
“Victoria has a long history of embracing co-ops, social enterprises and values-driven initiatives, so Box Divvy feels like a natural fit here — and the response has already been incredible, with more than 50 enquiries from people wanting to be part of the movement,” said Co-founder Jayne Travers-Drapes.
Local organiser Kellie Wishart says the buzz has been instant.
“Box Divvy gives people access to affordable, high-quality food, supports farmers, cuts waste and brings neighbours together,” she says.
“It’s a much smarter way to shop.”
And maybe that’s the secret. Food has always been about more than calories — it’s about connection.
Whether it’s a zucchini left on a neighbour’s porch in the country or a box of fresh veg waiting at the local hub, the act of sharing food ties people together.
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The New Village Green
Supermarkets will always have their place, but they don’t give you the same smile as a neighbour handing over your weekly box.
In a way, Box Divvy has reinvented the corner store — not with neon signs and late trading, but with fresh produce, fair prices, and the kind of community spirit that never really went out of style.
Want to Join the Movement?
If you’re in Victoria, you can check if there’s a Box Divvy hub sprouting in your suburb — or start one yourself. To register interest, visit https://www.boxdivvy.com/run-a-food-hub
Hubsters (that’s the neighbours who run them) get full training, support, and even a small payment for coordinating orders. It’s a role that suits stay-at-home parents, retirees, remote workers, or anyone who wants to be the friendly face behind the weekly veggie box.
Because in the end, it’s not just about cheaper carrots. It’s about bringing the neighbourhood back together — one box at a time.
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