When Denise French retired to Bowral with her husband Stuart seven years ago, she didn’t expect that running a local fresh produce Hub would become one of the highlights of their retirement.
Denise, 74, and Stuart, 77, now run two Box Divvy Hubs each week, connecting dozens of Southern Highlands households with fresh, seasonal fruit and vegetables — and supporting Australian farmers at the same time.
“We moved from the Sutherland Shire for a quieter life and found Bowral had the lifestyle we were looking for,” says Denise. “But retirement can be isolating. Box Divvy gives us real social contact, keeps us active, and means we’re doing something that matters — not just couch surfing.”
After searching for fresh produce options in the Southern Highlands, Denise discovered Box Divvy through a local Facebook post. She and Stuart took over the Thursday food Hub in August 2024 and soon added the Tuesday Hub in November.
The pair love the simplicity of the Box Divvy model: everything is managed through an app, there’s no cash handling, and the work fits around their lifestyle. “It’s modern, flexible, and keeps my brain and body ticking,” says Denise. “I send out reminders, let people know about specials, and follow up orders — all from home.”
Being on a pension, the small amount of flexible income has also been important. “There aren’t many part-time jobs for people our age,” Denise says with a laugh. “No one wants you as a checkout chick! Box Divvy lets us earn a little without affecting our pension — and it’s meaningful work, too.”
For Denise and Stuart, it’s not just about their own retirement. It’s about being part of something bigger — supporting small growers, avoiding supermarket giants, and helping their local community access better food.
“The produce from Box Divvy is fresher, tastier and lasts longer. You can taste the difference. For our members they save up to 30% on their produce compared to supermarkets. And you feel good knowing you’re helping farmers and cutting out the middlemen,” says Denise.
For this Bowral couple, retirement isn’t about slowing down — it’s about staying connected, active and making a difference, one veggie box at a time.
Box Divvy is a community-driven fresh food network connecting households with fresh, seasonal, Australian-grown produce and pantry goods. Members order online and collect their groceries from a local Hub, usually run by a neighbour. With more than 300 Hubs and 13,000 members across NSW and ACT, Box Divvy offers a people-powered alternative to supermarkets — providing fresher food, fairer prices for farmers, and a stronger sense of local connection. Learn more at www.boxdivvy.com
