Can Modern Food Co-operatives Change the Game for Diabetes Prevention?
As Australia continues to grapple with rising diabetes rates, early findings from Western Sydney University suggest that community-based food co-operatives, like Box Divvy, could be a game changer in improving access to healthy food and reducing the risk of diabetes, particularly in underserved regions like Western Sydney.
The research, part of the Beyond the Box project, points to promising outcomes for households using Box Divvy’s community-driven model, which offers fresh, affordable produce directly from local farmers. With diabetes rates soaring and many communities trapped in food deserts—where healthy food is scarce—the potential for food hubs to play a critical role in improving public health has never been more pertinent.
Professor Freya MacMillan, Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor Research at Western Sydney University, emphasises the significance of these findings: “While the results are indicative, they suggest that community food co-operatives like Box Divvy could be a powerful tool for increasing access to nutritious food in areas that need it most. As the top global university for advancing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, Western Sydney University is dedicated to improving food security and health in communities facing the greatest disparities.”
Diabetes and Food Insecurity: A Growing Crisis in Western Sydney
Western Sydney has emerged as a diabetes hotspot, where residents are twice as likely to develop the disease compared to those in Sydney’s Eastern and Northern suburbs. Much of this has to do with lack of easy access to fresh affordable food and knowing what to do with it. Vulnerable populations, including Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Asian, Middle Eastern, Indian subcontinent, and Pacific Islander communities, are disproportionately affected, facing higher risks of diabetes complications such as heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure.
Food insecurity is a significant factor driving these rates, with many Western Sydney suburbs classified as food deserts—areas where access to affordable, healthy food is severely limited. Previous research found that two-thirds of suburbs in the region have no food stores, and 84% of existing outlets primarily sell unhealthy, processed foods.
Can Food Hubs Like Box Divvy Make a Difference?
According to the Beyond the Box research, food co-operatives like Box Divvy are already making an impact. Survey results from over 2,200 members showed:
87.7% of participants reported improved access to a variety of healthy foods in their local areas.
80.8% of members said they are eating more healthily since joining Box Divvy.
46.1% noted improvements in their physical health, which is particularly important considering that over 150 people that completed the survey reported having prediabetes or diabetes.
87.2% felt more connected to their local community, reflecting the social benefits of the food co-operative model.
These findings suggest that Box Divvy’s approach with their food Hubs—offering fresh produce at up to 30% less than supermarket prices—could be a vital solution for improving household food security and reducing diabetes risk in high-need areas.
A Health-Focused Partnership
Box Divvy was founded by Jayne Travers-Drapes and Anton van den Berg as part of their collaboration with the Western Sydney Diabetes Alliance. The partnership was driven by the urgent need to address high rates of type 2 diabetes in Western Sydney, where poor dietary habits and limited access to fresh, nutritious food were major contributors. Their solution was to create an affordable, community-driven model that provides easy access to fresh produce, helping families incorporate healthier foods into their daily lives.
Anton van den Berg explains the significance of the model: “Box Divvy is about more than just food—it’s about creating a sustainable, community-led solution that supports local farmers and ensures everyone has access to healthy, affordable produce. For families dealing with diabetes, access to fresh food at lower prices can make a real difference to their health and well-being.”
By tackling key social determinants of health—like access to nutritious food—Box Divvy aligns with broader efforts to combat the diabetes epidemic in Australia, making it a vital part of the solution.
A Call for Action: Future of Food Hubs
As early findings from the Beyond the Box research suggest, community food co-operatives like Box Divvy could play a crucial role in reducing diabetes risk by improving access to affordable, healthy food. As diabetes rates continue to climb, especially in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas, more attention must be given to these community-level interventions.
Preliminary findings of Western Sydney University’s Beyond the Box initiative available here
For more information or to join a local Box Divvy Hub, visit www.boxdivvy.com
