Community-driven food co-op sets up first hubs in third state
Box Divvy has announced plans to launch its first Queensland Hubs, building on rapid growth that has seen the community food network expand to more than 400 neighbourhood hubs supporting almost 16,000 families across New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria.
The organisation started as a small street co-op run by husband-and-wife team Jayne Travers-Drapes and Anton van den Berg has grown into a network connecting households with fresh produce, pantry staples and ethical suppliers through local community-run Hubs.
Members place their orders online each week and collect them from a Hub run by someone in their neighbourhood. There are no membership fees, simply a commitment to place regular orders. Because food is ordered to meet demand, produce spends less time sitting in storage and moving through the supply chain before reaching households, according to bBx Divvy
Members can also see exactly where their food comes from, what suppliers are paid and how their money is distributed throughout the supply chain.
Co-founder Jayne Travers-Drapes said Queensland was a natural next step for the rapidly growing network.
“More and more Australians are looking beyond price alone and asking bigger questions about their food. Where did it come from? Who grew it? How much waste was created along the way? And who benefits from the dollars they spend? Box Divvy gives people answers to those questions while helping create a food system that is fresher, fairer and more transparent,” said Travers-Drapes
The Queensland launch is supported by established fresh produce supplier Suncoast Fresh, which will handle fulfilment and delivery to the Hubs. Founded in Noosa in 2008, Suncoast now supplies customers across South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales and works directly with more than 40 local farms, sharing Box Divvy’s focus on fresh, seasonal produce and stronger connections with growers.
Co-founder Anton van den Berg said the network’s growth reflected a broader desire for stronger local food systems and communities.
“Box Divvy is about more than food. It’s about rebuilding the social fabric of communities. Our Hubs also create opportunities for people to earn additional income, support Australian growers and reconnect with their neighbours. In an increasingly disconnected world, those local connections matter more than ever,” said van den Berg.
The first five Queensland Hubs are opening in Browns Plains, Kingston, Regents Park, Zillmere and Banyo, with Box Divvy also looking for more Queenslanders to operate hubs.
