Participation in a community-based food cooperative impacts self-reported food security status and dietary intake in Australian adults

Amid rapid inflation, a growing number of Australians are experiencing challenges affording healthy food, impacting dietary behaviours. Community-based food cooperatives are an emerging alternative to mainstream supermarkets for accessing more affordable, healthy foods. This study explored how participation in a community-based food cooperative (Box Divvy) impacted self-reported food insecurity and fruit and vegetable intake among Australian adults. A cross-sectional online survey of Box Divvy members measured sociodemographics, fruit and vegetable intake (serves/week), and food security status (USDA 6-item short form) reflecting on their status before and while using the cooperative. Participants were classified as food secure, or food insecure (marginally, moderately, and severely food insecure). Logistic regression assessed demographic predictors of food insecurity, paired proportions tests assessed change in food security status and ANOVA examined changes in diet. Of participants (n = 2277, 37 % aged 35-44 years, 83 % European ethnicity), 50.8 % reported food insecurity before joining Box Divvy (24.5 % marginal, 18.4 % moderate and 7.9 % severe food insecurity). Younger age, single parent households and lower income were significant predictors of food insecurity. While using Box Divvy, a significantly smaller proportion of participants reported food insecurity (-22.6 %; 95 % CI: 20.7 %, 24.5 %; p < 0.001). Higher fruit (+2.5 ± 5.6 serves/week p < 0.001) and vegetable (+3.3 ± 5.7 serves/week (p < 0.001) intake was reported while using Box Divvy, which was significantly greater among moderately and severely food insecure groups compared to the food secure group (p < 0.001). Our study highlights how community-based food cooperatives can positively influence dietary behaviours and food security by improving access to healthy foods.