Box Divvy Toongabbie hub offers healthy food
THE death of her 34-year-old sister inspired Sam Whitelock to go on a permanent health kick and she hopes her eating habits will become contagious.
THE death of her 34-year-old sister inspired Sam Whitelock to go on a permanent health kick and she hopes her eating habits will become contagious.
The Toongabbie mother of three has started receiving online orders and distributing produce with the app Box Divvy.
Box Divvy sources goods directly from local farmers up to 48 hours after picking. The organisation said members could save between 30 and 40 per cent off groceries at wholesale prices.
Mrs Whitelock said her sister’s lung cancer diagnosis – not a result of smoking – prompted her to evaluate her family’s nutrition.
“We went for convenience,’’ she said. “Everything was convenient eating, too much processed food.
“Looking at other people’s cancer journeys and clean eating, we exhausted a lot of avenues and, bit by bit, we took chemicals out of the house.”
Running a “food hub” also allows the corporate travel agent flexibility while she studies her health degree.
She has fielded strong response from the public wanting to eat well, cut their bills and support farmers, who receive 65c a dollar.
Once placing the orders, customers collect their items from Mrs Whitelock’s Toongabbie home at an appointed time.
“It’s grown quite a bit in two weeks from when I set up the page and once they see the produce there’s more buzz around it,’’ she said.
Mrs Whitelock believes attitudes towards health are shifting.
“I think advertising has a lot to do with how people eat these days and I think people eat for convenience because we all lead a busy life,’’ she said.
“But there’s a lot more information and I think things are starting to turn around.
“I want people to start making health-conscious choices.”
She is a regular customer at Sun’s Fresh Farm at Horsley Park. Other farms listed with Box Divvy are at Freemans Reach, Wilberforce, Kemps Creek and Leppington — many of which are under pressure from urban development and Badgerys Creek Airport.
To register visit boxdivvy.com.au and to join a hub enter postcode 2146
Jury delivers verdict in floodwater double manslaughter trial
A Sydney man has been found not guilty of manslaughter following the deaths of two friends, who were washed into regional floodwaters after standing on the back of a ute.
‘Game-changing’: Revamps coming to a western Sydney pub near you
Hotels, bowling alleys, rooftop bars, cocktail lounges and reimagined menus. A hospitality group is splashing more than $50m to upgrade its venues across Sydney. Here’s what’s in store.