A new episode of Unsupermarket, the podcast by community food network Box Divvy, features a conversation with Assistant Minister for Competition Andrew Leigh MP, recorded on the day the new mandatory Food and Grocery Code of Conduct came into effect.
Hosted by Jayne Travers-Drapes, co-founder of Box Divvy, and team member Leigh Lind, the episode explores the supermarket duopoly’s grip on pricing, the challenges faced by farmers and suppliers, and how new rules –and new models – could reshape the future of food purchasing in Australia.
“The risk with the old code was that supermarkets would hold their suppliers over a barrel and suppliers wouldn’t complain for fear of retaliation,” said Assistant Minister Andrew Leigh.
“Now we’ve got an anonymous complaints mechanism through the competition watchdog, the ACCC, and multi-million dollar fines for supermarkets who do the wrong thing.
“Linking people better back to their neighbours and to the farmers in their area helps to build connections. It’s not just about saving money, it’s also about joining people together,” he added.
About Box Divvy
Community food network Box Divvy offers a human-scale alternative to supermarkets. With more than 300 local food hubs across NSW and the ACT – most run by neighbours from their garage or carport – the network connects members with affordable, seasonal produce and pantry items, most of it grown or made in Australia.
Members typically save around 30% compared to supermarket prices, with no joining fees – just a commitment to order regularly.
“At Box Divvy, our mission is to unsupermarket people and connect local communities with farmers and local producers through our food Hubs,” said Ms Travers-Drapes.
“We actually let our members know where food comes from – who grew it, who manufactured it if it’s a grocery item. When they join, they tell us they feel disconnected from where their food comes from.”
Box Divvy is also pushing for full price transparency – not just what shoppers pay, but what farmers and wholesalers actually receive.
“The farmers are telling us, ‘Why don’t consumers know what we get paid at the supermarket level?’” said Ms Lind.
“There’s a growing gap between what supermarkets pay and what it is on the supermarket shelf. It doesn’t have to be this way.”
Podcast highlights
The latest episode of Box Divvy’s Unsupermarket covers:
- The duopoly’s growing market share despite the entry of ALDI.
- Shrinkflation tactics that are “dudding” consumers.
- Farmers being stuck with rejected produce.
- Fear of retaliation stopping suppliers from speaking up.
- Zoning laws that limit competition.
The episode also touches on Australia’s changing relationship with food, and how new community-led models are reviving old ways of shopping.
“We see firsthand every week how a local community-led food system can work,” said Ms Lind.
“One that prioritises transparency, reduces waste, and strengthens connections between people and producers.”
Watch the episode on YouTube here.