Community & Business
20 February, 2026
From little seeds, big things grow
ATHERTON Food Co-op founders Adam Collins and Grace Gargan are stepping down from their director roles after 15 years and handing the reins of the popular organisation to new directors Amira Taylor and Louis Pittiglio.
The co-op began with a simple idea, a handful of passionate locals, and a garage.
Founded in 2010, the co-op was born out of a desire to make organic and biodynamic food more accessible to the Tablelands community, while also supporting local growers doing things differently.
With no shopfront and no funding, the early days relied heavily on volunteer labour, shared enthusiasm, and a strong belief in community-led food systems.
As interest grew, the co-op slowly took root. A small shopfront opened, relationships with local organic and biodynamic farmers were strengthened, and the co-op became a place where people could connect around food, sustainability, and shared values.
Over time, it evolved into a not-for-profit, community-owned cooperative supported by members, volunteers, and a small paid team.
Gwen Boccanfuso managed the co-op for six years during an important period of growth and consolidation, and three years ago, Tracy Klaproth stepped into the Business Manager role.
Today, the co-op continues to operate with a mix of paid staff and volunteers and sources produce and groceries primarily from local and regional organic and biodynamic producers, with additional suppliers where local options aren’t available.
Adam and Grace have now handed over the reins to Amira and Louis confident that the Co-op they helped build is stable, community-supported, and in good hands and that Amira and Louis will bring fresh energy while remaining committed to the co-op’s original values.
Looking ahead the focus will be on strengthening systems, supporting local producers, and ensuring the co-op remains accessible and resilient for the next generation of members and the local community.
