Macquarie University Incubator, Social Impact Inspiring Entrepreneur Series | The story of Food Connect

Over the past 20 odd years, Robert has been challenging and transforming the food and agricultural system in Australia. As a former organic dairy farmer and market gardener he has become known as a practical and hands on social entrepreneur working at the systems end of changing the way business can pivot away from the malaise the current food system works.

In 2004, he founded Food Connect, a dynamic multi-farmer food distribution enterprise with an innovative community-based distribution system. In 2009, the Food Connect Foundation was launched to increase the scope of the fair food movement internationally and across Australia.

Robert is a member of the national board of Australian Social Enterprise Advisory Group, co-founder of the Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance, and a founding member on the Board of the global software organisation Open Food Network.  He is a contributing author to Fair Food, published by University of Queensland Press.

In 2018, he co-founded the Food Connect Shed to raise over $2million with the Food Connect community to buy the warehouse they had been renting for over 12 years, through an equity crowdfunding campaign.

Rob is a well-known speaker in the Fair Food movement. He loves his blended family of four children, and his favourite foods are beer, butter and good bread.