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New Auburn community food hub launched to support healthier eating and diabetes prevention

Issued by Lanham Media on behalf of Box Divvy

National Diabetes Week, July 12-18

 

A new community food Hub is opening in Auburn to help make healthy eating more affordable and accessible, with Box Divvy launching a new neighbourhood Hub at the Auburn Ruth Everuss Aquatic Centre during National Diabetes Week.

 

The Hub, run by local community member Ernest Kulauzović, is part of a community food co-operative that brings neighbours together to buy groceries directly from Australian farmers and producers. Members order online each week and collect their groceries from the local Hub, giving them access to fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, dairy, bakery items and pantry staples at competitive prices while supporting Australian producers.

 

The launch comes as National Diabetes Week (13–19 July) shines a spotlight on type 2 diabetes prevention. Around 65 per cent of people living with diabetes across Greater Sydney live in Western Sydney, where an estimated 13.1 per cent of adults are living with diabetes and a further 38 per cent are at high risk of developing the condition.

 

The launch follows a recent community diabetes screening event at the Auburn Ruth Everuss Aquatic Centre, where more than 51 people were screened and 13 people were identified as living with pre-diabetes or at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

 

Leigh Lind, Hub Development Manager at Box Divvy, said the Auburn Hub was particularly significant because Box Divvy itself was created to help address the challenges of healthy food access in Western Sydney.

 

"Box Divvy was born from a challenge set by the Western Sydney Diabetes Alliance to make healthy food more affordable and accessible in communities facing high rates of type 2 diabetes," Ms Lind said.

 

"The idea was simple - if neighbours pooled their grocery orders, we could buy directly from Australian farmers and producers, cutting out much of the traditional supermarket supply chain. That means fresher food, less waste and better value, making healthy eating more achievable for more people.

 

"Today, more than 14,000 households shop through over 360 Box Divvy Hubs across NSW, the ACT and Victoria, but our purpose remains the same - helping people eat well while building stronger local communities."

 

Hubster Ernest Kulauzović said he was excited to bring the initiative to Auburn.

 

"Our community is incredibly diverse, and many families are feeling the pressure of rising grocery prices," Mr Kulauzović said. "Box Divvy gives people another option – fresh, affordable food while also creating a sense of community. I'm looking forward to welcoming local residents and helping build something that benefits both people's health and their hip pocket."

 

More recently, independent research by Western Sydney University and the University of Wollongong found Box Divvy members experienced significantly lower levels of food insecurity after joining the community food co-operative and reported eating more fruit and vegetables, reinforcing the role affordable access to healthy food can play in improving community health.

 

Leigh Lind said improving access to affordable healthy food was an important part of preventing type 2 diabetes.

 

"Helping people make healthier choices isn't just about education – it's also about ensuring those choices are practical and accessible. Community initiatives like Box Divvy help to support healthier communities across Western Sydney."

 

Residents interested in joining the Auburn Box Divvy Hub can register at www.boxdivvy.com

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

 

Available for interview:

• Leigh Lind, Hub Development Manager at Box Divvy
• Hubster Ernest Kulauzović, Box Divvy
• Jayne Travers-Drapes and Anton van den Berg, Co-founders, Box Divvy
• Box Divvy members and local Hub leaders available on request. Check locations here

 

General media assets available here

Auburn diabetes testing photos: here

 

About Box Divvy

Box Divvy is a free, community-driven food co-op that connects households with fresh, seasonal produce and healthy pantry staples. With over 360 local Hubs and 14,000 members across NSW, VIC and the ACT, 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