After years working long shifts as a theatre nurse through the COVID pandemic, Speers Point resident Rebecca Hazell reached a turning point. Like many healthcare workers, the experience left her rethinking how she wanted life to look for her young family and how she could feel more connected to the community around her.
“I still love nursing, but after those years I really wanted to slow things down a little and feel more connected to people locally. I was looking for something that gave me more flexibility while still feeling part of the community.”
Two years ago, while on maternity leave with her second child, Rebecca started a Box Divvy food Hub from her garage in Speers Point – a community-run grocery model where neighbours order food together online and collect it locally each week. There are no membership fees, but members commit to ordering regularly so the group can buy collectively and share the benefits.
Today around 50 households collect their groceries from Rebecca’s home every Tuesday. On Hub day, people arrive carrying tubs and boxes to collect their orders. Children play in the driveway – sometimes taking turns on Rebecca’s son’s tiny toy tractor – while parents swap school tips, recipes and local news.
Rebecca had already been a member of another local Box Divvy food Hub for several years and was drawn to the idea of neighbours ordering groceries together and sharing the benefits of buying collectively while reducing packaging at the same time.
“It’s such a simple system. People order what they need during the week and then pop in to collect it. Some people grab their groceries and head straight home, others stay for a chat. It’s relaxed and it works really well for families.”
The response from locals was immediate. Within six months the Hub grew from around 25 members to about 50 households, quickly filling Rebecca’s garage with weekly deliveries of fruit, vegetables and pantry staples.
“At one point my husband had to move his boat out of the garage to make room for the deliveries,” she said.
Each week members collect their groceries, many bringing their own tubs or boxes so produce can be packed without plastic. For many locals, the appeal goes beyond convenience. Rebecca says members appreciate the freshness of the food, the transparency around pricing and the sense that their shopping is supporting Australian producers rather than large supermarket supply chains.
“People really like knowing where their food is coming from and that farmers are being paid fairly,” she said. “There’s very little packaging and everything is really fresh. It just feels like a better way to shop.”
Rebecca says the biggest surprise has been how quickly friendships have formed.
“We moved here from Sydney before we had kids, so it’s been such a lovely way to meet people in the area. My son loves Hub day – all the kids want a turn driving his little tractor while their parents pick up groceries.”
The sense of connection has extended beyond food. Members have organised “kindness boxes” for families going through difficult times and care packages for visiting seafarers staying nearby who rarely have access to fresh produce.
“People don’t expect it, but they’re incredibly touched when the community comes together like that.”
Rebecca still works two days a week at the hospital, but the Speers Point food Hub has become something special.
“It started as a practical way to shop, but it’s turned into something much more. It feels like it’s bringing a bit of community back.”
Rebecca’s Speers Point Box Divvy food Hub is almost full, with limited spot for a few more families.
Issued by Lanham Media on behalf of Box Divvy
Media Contacts:
Fleur Townley | [email protected] | 0405 278 758
Greg Townley | [email protected] | 0414 195 908
General media assets available here
Photos of Rebecca available here
About Box Divvy
Box Divvy is a community-driven food co-op that connects households with fresh, seasonal produce and healthy pantry staples. With over 350 local Hubs across NSW and the ACT, and expansion into VIC, it’s a simple and affordable way to shop - no membership fees, just a regular commitment to order. Each Hub is run by a neighbour, and members collaborate to reduce waste, share deliveries, and keep costs low. By supporting mostly Australian and local suppliers, Box Divvy helps families eat well, live more sustainably, and make food choices they can feel good about. Find out more at boxdivvy.com
