Buyers Clubs are small, self-organised groups of family, friends or neighbours who use community and collective buying power to access affordable bulk food. Members gather on a regular (or semi-regular) basis to share, swap and connect.
The groups back the belief that communities have an important role to play in building resilient food systems and encouraging healthy place-based connections with others. Running like a smaller, and often more tightly knit co-op they help to enhance:
Social collaboration and community bonds
Understanding of local food systems, circular economies and reducing waste and plastics
Homesteading and preserving skills
Autonomy and Agency in designing what their community wants
A sense of purpose and participation
Nutritional literacy
They also serve to democratise the food system, making high-quality, healthy fresh food more accessible across the community, while fairly rewarding the farmers and makers behind it (both socially and financially).
Buyers Clubs become a key part of the social fabric for their members. Many have told us that joining one has helped them find a sense of belonging in a new city, overcome isolation during COVID, or open their eyes to a new admiration for regional farmers and more.
Our campaign
We’re currently in the planning stages of a new campaign (augmented by Food Connect’s wholesale services) to promote and nurture more Buyers Clubs in South East Queensland.
The initiative will include a series of workshops, resources and tools to help more individuals and communities to start and maintain their own, as well as a number of activities to build awareness for more connected, robust food systems.
We need your support!
You can help us reach more people and get more groups started by making a tax deductible donation to Food Connect Foundation via Sustainable Table.