Box Divvy Narraweena - Birinta

28/06/2025

Food for Thought

Is there a future for insect-based protein? Seventy-seven per cent of agricultural land is used to farm animals. That land accounts for just 17 per cent of the global food supply, and it’s increasingly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. With the world population adding another 2 billion by 2050, and rising incomes able to purchase more meat and seafood, something got to give. Hence the interest in using insects for protein. However, “Public polling in the US and Europe has found that while as many as 91% of respondents would be willing to try plant-based “alternative meats”, only about 20% would consider eating insects”, according to a paper published in the Nature journal npj Sustainable Agriculture.

Perhaps it depends on how the protein is presented: consumers may not be so keen to munch on whole crunchy fried meal worms, but what about say cricket powder?

Sydney-based company Circle Harvest is forging ahead with enriching foods like corn chips, brownies and pasta with pulverised cricket protein. It grows its own crickets – several tonnes a month – which not only provide protein, but are also rich in calcium, iron, vitamin b12, zinc, magnesium and omega 3.

We think they’re worth checking out, so watch this space.

21/06/2025

Food for Thought

A UK study published this month shows that ‘only’ 31% of adults eat the recommended 5 serves of fruit and veg day – largely unchanged from previous years. Although the methodology and definitions are different, a comparable measure for Australian adults is almost certainly worse: whilst 44% ate the recommended 2 serves of fruit per day, only 6.5% ate the recommended 5 serves of veg per day. For NSW, the numbers are even worse – and the trend is not encouraging.

The reasons are many and varied:
- Fresh produce is expensive, and hard to access in some areas. Extreme weather – or even cold snaps like the one we’re having this month – regularly disrupt supply chains.
- Prepping and cooking vegies conflict with busy lifestyles and long work hours, which drive consumers towards ultra-processed, ready-to-eat foods and food delivery.
- Many people opt for ultra-processed, ready-to-eat foods over prepping and cooking veggies. Busy lifestyles, long work hours, and family demands reduce time to prepare fresh meals.
- Heavily marketed foods are often processed and low in fruit/veg. Fast food and snacks are more accessible and appealing, especially for children and teens.

Box Divvy is doing its bit by prioritising fresh produce and improving both affordability and accessibility: by the end of June, we expect to have 333 Hubs – a net increase of 37 Hubs since the start of January.

That being said: do we actually grow enough vegetables in Australia for all of us to meet our 5-serves-of-veg-a-day target? The answer is no, says a CSIRO report released this month. Well, how’s that for an eye opener? We’re not surprised though: as Box Divvy grows, we often run into supply challenges – from eggs to mushrooms – and part of the reason is the degree of concentration in both growing and retailing. A heavily centralised food system is more vulnerable to shocks such as extreme weather events, zoological pandemics (e.g. avian influenza) and imbalances in supply and demand.

13/06/2025

What Happens When Farmers Quit — And How Box Divvy Supports Them

Dairy farmers are not the only ones doing it tough. Did you know that across Australia, 34% of vegetable farmers are considering leaving the industry within the next year?
Rising costs, shrinking returns, and pressure from supermarkets are forcing many small farmers to hang up their boots. When growers quit, fresh local food becomes harder to find, prices go up, and communities lose vital connections to where their food comes from.
Adding to the challenge, climate change is hitting local growers hard. Unpredictable weather—droughts, floods, and heatwaves—makes farming riskier and less predictable. Crops can fail or produce less, while pests and diseases thrive in warmer conditions. These pressures increase costs and stress, sometimes forcing farmers to scale back or leave farming altogether.
For most communities, this means fewer fresh, local foods and rising prices.
Here’s the good news: as part of the Box Divvy community, you’re helping change that story.
The Box Divvy community are supporting these farmers by directly purchasing their products, build resilience by encouraging more sustainable farming and providing a steady income. Then farmers have a chance at adapting to climate changes and growing the food we all rely on.

How We Work With Our Farmers
At Box Divvy, we don’t just deliver food — we build genuine partnerships with the farmers who grow your produce. Here’s how we support them:
• Fair pay & honest prices: We pay prices that reflect the true cost of growing fresh, seasonal food, not the rock-bottom rates supermarkets often impose. This helps farmers cover their costs and keep farming sustainably.
• Collaborative seasonal planning: We work closely with growers throughout the year to plan crops based on what our community wants to eat. This reduces waste and means you get fresher, more delicious produce.
• Sustainability & care: We support farmers committed to environmentally friendly practices that protect soil, water, and pollinators — because healthy farms make healthier food.
• Open communication: We stay connected with farmers, sharing challenges like weather or pests and working together to find solutions that keep your box full and farms thriving.
Why This Matters to You
You might wonder if ethical eating fits your budget. The truth is, when you shop seasonally, support local growers, and reduce waste, you often save money compared to buying processed or imported food. Plus, you’re investing in a food system that values people, planet, and community.

Every Box Divvy order sends a powerful message to growers: “We see you, we value you, and we want you to keep growing.”

So next time you unpack your Box Divvy fresh fruit and veg, remember: it’s more than just food. It’s a lifeline for farmers, a boost for communities, and a way to eat ethically without breaking the bank.

Thank you for being part of this Unsupermarket movement!

10/06/2025

Inaugural National Pear Week: it’s building

National Pear Week in the newsOur first National Pear Week has had some traction:
Mirage Magazine published a piece
WIN TV in Shepparton featured our favourite apple and pear grower Selim Shaholli from Shaholli farms, as well as our resident expeart and Box Divvy co-founder Anton – talking about the reasons why pears have lost some popularity (and what we’re doing to restore them to their old glory).
Both Selim and Anton have featured on several radio stations in regional NSW and Victoria.
Other publications:
https://www.riverineherald.com.au/news/australians-need-to-back-the-fruit-thats-falling-through-the-cracks/
https://www.kyfreepress.com.au/news/australians-need-to-back-the-fruit-thats-falling-through-the-cracks/
https://www.sheppnews.com.au/news/australians-need-to-back-the-fruit-thats-falling-through-the-cracks/
https://www.southasiatimes.com.au/australia/national-pear-week-2-8-june-2025-connects-community-with-growers/
https://www.thechronicle.com.au/medianet?id=1027681?WebsiteId=100
https://newshub.medianet.com.au/2025/06/national-pear-week-urges-australians-to-back-the-fruit-thats-falling-through-the-cracks/103938/

If anyone is interested in those pearfect pear recipes: the website is still up.

National Pear Week Urges Australians to Back the Fruit That’s Falling Through the Cracks They’re juicy, low-GI, and packed with fibre. But behind the sweet simplicity of an Aussie pear lies a more sobering truth: many of Australia’s pear growers are fighting to survive. This National Pear Week...

10/06/2025

In the News
WIN News IllawarraMeet Tania from South Nowra, a passionate Hubster with Box Divvy! She recently shared her inspiring story in a Win TC interview, highlighting how being part of a local food co-op brings the community together.

31/05/2025

Box Divvy donates $5,000 to Gloucester Grass-fed Meats

The Box Divvy Farmers’ Resilience Fund, donations from members and matched $ for $ by Box Divvy, supports local farmers during times of crisis, such as floods or extreme weather.
The Fund provides either fast, interest-free financial aid or a one-off payment to help farmers recover quickly and continue operating. Unlike government grants, which are often delayed, hard to access, and exclude many farmers, this Fund offers immediate, practical support.
It’s part of Box Divvy’s mission to build a fair, sustainable food system by connecting consumers directly with growers. The Fund strengthens the local food chain and shows Box Divvy’s strong commitment to local agriculture.
Gloucester Grass Fed Meats were hard hit, and we have given a one-off payment of $5,000 to assist with immediate feed costs. To put this in perspective: he has had to bring in 60 tons of hay which cost him $30,000. Demand is up so prices are up, and supply is limited.

We’d like to share a note from Brad.
“The support I have received is inspiring enough to never give up. It is one trait that most farmers have in their blood. My parents were the same and taught me that. I can only thank you so much for your generosity. Thank you. What you have set up to support farmers and suppliers for the better of all the community is inspiring. The Box Divvy community are changing the structure and services for fresh food service in Australia.
Us farmers during this weather event have all lost in different ways. The worst affected have lost everything. Livestock losses are the hardest to deal with, next I see is the loss of productive land for winter which also needs the herd to be sold to processors. So many parts of this flood are destructive to the hard work we do. I have had only one of my old cows pass that I chased around the island, 80 acres for 4 hours on foot that has become a casualty of the floods.
The immediate aftermath?
I will need to sell 50 breeding cows as I now have limited winter crops. Half of my Mount George property has had the topsoil stripped from it, so now the property has lost its value as a farm due to the high loss of livestock numbers. The financial cost for all producers to keep livestock healthy now, with hay and grain, is also a drain on costs. The fact is, that all responsible farmers want their livestock to live a healthy, enjoyable life. We spend a lot of time and money on productive pastures and animal welfare.
Thank you so much again for your support of Gloucester Grass Fed Meats. Your generosity shows that we all are a team, working together.”
- Brad Johnson, Gloucester Grass Fed meats

25/05/2025

Food for Thought

Ozempic? Or real food?
Five foods that release the same ‘fullness’ hormone as Ozempic and Wegovy which works by mimicking the action of the GLP-1 hormone, a compound generally released by the gut after a meal. GLP-1 signals to the brain that we are full, preventing us from overeating. However, these drugs can have side-effects – and kind of mess up our relationship with food. Aside from that, most people regain all or most of the lost weight once they stop using the drugs. It begs the question: is it worth it? Especially since some foods are almost as effective in releasing the ‘fullness’ hormone:
1-Oats and whole grains. This week, we’re launching a range of breakfast cereals – including H2G Organic Porridge and a gluten-free Quinoa Porridge from Orgran that is surprisingly creamy and tasty. One bowl with some fruit will last you till lunchtime.
Eggs.
2-Protein – and lots of it. And egg supply is slowly improving, week by week
3-Nuts. Eat a handful in between meals, and you won’t feel cravings for (insert your favourite Guilty Pleasure).
4-Avocado. Lucky that they are well-priced these days: $1.25 each for decent-sized fruit.
5-Veggies before a meal. Yes, a side salad – or perhaps we should call it a pre-salad? Eat this an hour before your main meal, and you’ll find that the increase in GLP-1 levels make you feel full, even with smaller portions.

To give your body a chance to tell your brain you’re full, make sure you eat slowly. Eating socially – with other people, rather than whilst watching TV – has the same effect of slowing you down. This is one reason why countries like France, Italy and Spain have a lower incidence of overweight, diabetes and heart disease: eating is a social activity.

18/05/2025

Food-for-Thought: Box Divvy improves food security and diets

A large-scale study among Box Divvy members, conducted by Western Sydney and Wollongong universities, is showing how joining a food co-op like Box Divvy improves food security and at the same time boosts healthy diets.

The survey results from more than 2,200 Box Divvy members found that:.Food insecurity – ranging from skipping meals to buying less nutritious food – nearly halved after joining Box Divvy.Fruit and vegetable consumption increased in all groups, especially among those who were previously reporting as moderately to severely food insecure.

Of course, we knew this already from anecdotal evidence and conversations with members and Hubsters – but it’s helpful to put some hard numbers around this issue.

The study was first published in Appetite, and a summary appeared in this week’s edition of The Conversation. It has since been picked by a number of radio stations and online publications.

10/05/2025

Food-for-Thought

The trend is not our friend: according to the CSIRO, in 2030 we’re projected to eat even less fruit and vegetables than we already do today – and 18% more junk food. The model is based on a continuous study of more than 275,000 people who completed this survey between 2015 and 2023. The study does not identify the reasons why, but we can make a few educated guess:

The high cost of fresh food during a Cozzie Livs crisis. Whilst inflation has come down, supermarket prices aren’t actually lower than a few years ago: they are simply rising less rapidly. This is likely to turn people to less healthy food:

There is an abundance of cheap packaged foods that delivers carbs, fats and sugar – but little in way of nutrition (and often not even real food). What’s more, junk food is pushed by multi-billion-dollar marketing and advertising because profits take priority over people’s health. Many foods are making unchecked health claims and getting away with it. This is not unique to Australia: the US is probably a few years ahead of the curve, and according to research from the Pew Institute: “over two-thirds (69%) say higher food prices are making it difficult to eat a healthy diet”. Result? “More than 1 million Americans die each year from diet-related diseases”.

Food co-ops such as Box Divvy can make a difference, as research published later this month will show.

10/05/2025

Mushroom family expanding
Regular mushrooms - buttons, cups and flats - and Swiss Brown are scarce this week, but Leonie and Peter from The Little Mountain Mushroom Company (aka FungiCo) are offering a growing range of gourmet mushrooms.
Cheers
The Box Divvy Team

02/05/2025

Food-for-Thought

Drinking green tea burns fat: myth or true?
Answer: mostly myth, but with a kernel of truth, according to this article. “Caffeine – which is found in green tea – in relatively high doses has, in some circumstances, been shown to increase fat oxidation”. This releases hormones such as adrenaline and noradrenaline that mobilise energy stores. Coffee will do the trick as well.
However, “(…) it’s a very small amount, and the research isn’t great – it’s definitely not something that you’d recommend relying on if somebody is trying to change their body composition.”
In the same vein, some diets claim that eating grapefruit burns fat. Whilst they are a healthy fruit, the claim is a myth.

26/04/2025

Food-for-Thought

Denmark proves that it’s possible to promote healthy eating – in this case: eat more wholegrains – and actually make a difference to what people eat. A lot of difference: between 2008 and 2019, the average Dane increased wholegrain consumption by a whopping 128%. They now eat 4-5 times as much wholegrain as Britons and Americans.

What are wholegrains? In essence, it’s grain – from wheat and barley to spelt and rye – as well as (brown) rice and oats that have been processed (ground or rolled) with the whole kernel, including bran, germ and endosperm. This is where the fibre, vitamins and minerals are – and keeping them in leads to reduced risk of heart disease, cancel, Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. The high fibre content in wholegrains makes you feel full, so you also reduce the risk of obesity. Unsurprisingly, Denmark has one of the lowest obesity rates in Europe).

To increase your intake of wholegrains, avoid white bread, replace white rice with brown (or make a 50/50 mix: the kids won’t even notice it), or make some cookies with honey and rolled oat (yes, Anzac biscuits).

Or how about some Organic Brown Rice Crackers? One of this week’s Divvy Deals, they come from H2G and are literally half price: $1.85 per pack. Not a fake supermarket ‘half price’: it’s the Real Divvy Deal. They’re $3.85 on the H2G website.
They are made from at least 86% brown rice – high in fibre and protein. Available in Regular and Sweet Chilli. Limit: 3 per member.