Food Connect Shed

What Food Connect Shed does

Food Connect Shed is a community-owned food hub located in Salisbury, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Established in 2018 after raising over AUD $2 million from 520 community investors ('Careholders') through an Australian-first equity crowdfunding campaign, it operates from a solar-powered warehouse at 8 Textile Cres, Salisbury, comprising a 300+ sqm event space, council-approved commercial kitchen, coworking areas, shared cold/dry storage, and warehousing. The hub is operated by a 1–10 person core team with substantial volunteer support via the Shed Club, and its legal structure prevents the warehouse from being sold out from under tenants.

The business model rests on four revenue streams: usage-based commercial kitchen hire with no lock-in commitments for food entrepreneurs, one-time event venue hire (including a structured AUD $600 half-day midweek corporate package), a subscription Shed Bulk Buyers Club (AUD $50 one-off membership plus monthly orders for ethical local produce), and Careholder share ownership (currently fully committed). Customer segments are food entrepreneurs and small food businesses (primary), values-led corporate, NFP, and government organizations seeking mission-aligned venues, Bulk Buyers Club consumer members, and Careholder community investors. Go-to-market is community-led, leveraging social media, email newsletters, events, the Careholder network, and partner channels including Slow Food Brisbane and Hope Street Catering.

Distribution combines direct bookings (SpaceTogether for events, email for kitchen hire), the Bulk Buyers Club monthly logistics, on-site retail via tenant businesses (Blind Boy Brewing taproom, Sabarac, Ta'ameya, Crusher Wines bar takeovers), and quarterly Slow Food Markets. Strategic partnerships with Food Connect Foundation (parent), Enova (renewable energy), CSIRO and Council of Mayors SEQ (SEQ Food Systems Strategy), and the 'Innovate to Regenerate' replication report signal intent to influence and potentially replicate the community-owned food hub model across South East Queensland. Revenue figures are not disclosed and the entity is small-scale, volunteer-supported, and mission-driven rather than growth-financed.

Name

Food Connect Shed

Legal name

Food Connect Shed

Website

https://foodconnectshed.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Food Connect Shed is a community-owned food hub in Brisbane offering commercial kitchen rental, event space hire, coworking, and bulk food buying. It serves ethical food entrepreneurs, values-led corporate and NGO clients, and local residents under a 520-Careholder ownership model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Shared Commercial Kitchen & Event Space Services

NAICS

Food Service Contractors (72231), Special Food Services (7223)

akta.pro primary industry

Member-Owned Food Cooperatives (CRAHALAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Buying Clubs & Community Bulk Purchasing Co-ops (CRAHALAE)

Keywords

• Community-owned food hub
• Commercial kitchen rental
• Event venue hire
• Bulk food cooperative
• Food entrepreneur coworking

Headquarters

HQ city

Salisbury

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Commercial Kitchen Rental: Affordable commercial kitchen hire with no lock-in commitments for food entrepreneurs. Revenue generated through hourly/daily rental of council-approved kitchen facilities.
2. Event Space Hire: Versatile event venue rental including dry-hire and supported hire options. Half-day corporate packages at $600, full venue hire with optional add-ons (catering, bar service, AV equipment).
3. Shed Bulk Buyers Club Membership: One-off $50 membership fee plus monthly food orders. Members combine buying power to access wholesale prices directly from ethical local farmers.
4. Careholder Shares: Community ownership model where Careholders purchase shares to co-own the facility. Currently all shares committed, but secondary market may exist.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Food Connect Shed operates a community-owned food hub providing commercial kitchen hire, event venue hire, coworking space, and a volunteer-run bulk food buying cooperative. Revenue is generated primarily through hourly/daily kitchen and event-space rental to food entrepreneurs and organisations, supplemented by Bulk Buyers Club memberships and Careholder community-share ownership.

Product overview

Food Connect Shed operates as a community-owned food hub in Brisbane offering a multi-service platform centered around sustainable food systems. The core offerings include Event Space Hire (a 300+ sqm versatile venue for workshops, conferences, and community events), Commercial Kitchen Hire (council-approved facilities with professional equipment and no lock-in commitments), and the Shed Bulk Buyers Club (a volunteer-run cooperative for bulk purchasing from ethical local farmers). Additional services include Coworking Spaces for food entrepreneurs, a Midweek Corporate Package for team events, a Volunteer Program (Shed Club), and the Careholder Program enabling community ownership. The facility is solar-powered and houses multiple small food businesses and social enterprises, creating an integrated ecosystem for sustainable food commerce and community engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Commercial Kitchen Hire Council-approved commercial kitchen with multiple workstations, professional-grade equipment, shared cold storage, freezer, dry storage, and loading docks. Available to food entrepreneurs at affordable rates with no lock-in commitments, supporting tenants such as Sabarac, Ta'ameya, and Blind Boy Brewing.
• Event Space Hire Versatile 300+ sqm warehouse-style venue for up to 250 guests, available for workshops, conferences, community events, and private functions. Offered as dry-hire or with optional staffing, catering, bar service, and AV equipment add-ons.
• Shed Bulk Buyers Club Volunteer-run bulk-buying cooperative where members pay a one-off $50 membership and submit monthly orders for spray-free fruit and vegetables, dry goods, and artisan products sourced directly from ethical local farmers and Shed tenants. Orders are packed and collected at monthly packing nights.
• Coworking Spaces Collaborative workspace inside the food hub for food-system innovators, activists, and small businesses to work alongside tenant food producers. Provides multiple workstations, shared kitchen-adjacent facilities, and direct access to the food hub community.

Quantifiable outcome

• $2 million+ raised via equity crowdfunding
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Food Connect FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding parent organization. Food Connect Shed builds on the heart and shoulders of Food Connect and its guiding Food Connect Foundation. The Foundation provides strategic guidance and launched the 'Innovate to Regenerate' food hub replication report. FCS manages the physical hub while FCF supports system change work.
• EnovacoreTechnology or IntegrationEnergy social enterprise supplying power to the facility. The Shed is 'totally solar powered' via Enova's energy social enterprise, with mains power backup. Core sustainability partnership enabling the renewable-powered food hub.
• Hope Street CateringminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOn-site catering partner providing meals for events and corporate packages. Social enterprise providing work for long-term unemployed people. Featured as preferred caterer for midweek corporate events.
• Slow Food BrisbaneminorGTM or Marketing PartnerQuarterly Slow Food Markets hosted at the Shed. Partnership to foster fairer food systems through supporting small producers and building community. Shared mission around good, clean, fair food.
• Crusher WinesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrisbane-based natural wine maker using Queensland-grown fruit. Regular bar takeovers at Slow Food Markets and events. Collaborative partner for food and beverage events.
• CSIROcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating on SEQ Food Systems Strategy co-creation. CSIRO, Food Connect Foundation, Council of Mayors SEQ, local governments, and community groups working together to build a resilient, productive, sustainable food system.
• Council of Mayors of South East QueenslandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnering on SEQ Food Systems Strategy development. Multi-stakeholder collaboration including government, research, and community organizations for regional food system planning.
• Food & Agribusiness NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipating organization in SEQ Food Systems Strategy collaboration. Industry network connecting food and agribusiness stakeholders in the region.
• Support Groups QLD / Sisters Support IncminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for International Women's Day Ramadan Bazaar. Group of women from African migrant and refugee backgrounds building community, resilience and strength together. Joint event hosting for cultural celebration.
• Queensland GovernmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHas hosted events at the Shed. Government teams and project units have utilized event space. Partner in broader food system initiatives.
• The Sourdough Science AcademyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegular workshop facilitator hosting sourdough bread classes at the Shed. Led by chef Roberto Giammellucca. Third-party event organizer using the venue.
• Stories that StirminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrisbane storytelling event series that hosts regular events at Food Connect Shed. Community-building events focused on personal storytelling and connection.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• CERES Community Environment Park: Melbourne-based community-owned sustainability hub featuring a community kitchen, market garden, food retail, and event spaces. Directly comparable to FCS as an Australian community-owned venue combining food production, education, and community engagement on a values-driven, not-for-profit basis.
• Northey Street City Farm: Brisbane-based organic farm and community food hub running an organic market, community gardens, and food system education. Strong geographic and conceptual overlap with FCS as a Brisbane-based community food hub promoting local regenerative food systems.
• La Cocina: San Francisco nonprofit food business incubator providing affordable commercial kitchen access, mentorship, and market pathways to low-income and immigrant food entrepreneurs. Closely mirrors FCS's commercial kitchen hire + tenant support model with a similar values-driven, capacity-building orientation.
• Hot Bread Kitchen: NYC-based nonprofit that supports immigrant and women-owned food businesses via commercial kitchen access, workforce training, and wholesale pathways. Comparable to FCS as a mission-driven commercial kitchen and food entrepreneur support organization.
• Local Food Hub: Charlottesville, Virginia-based nonprofit food hub aggregating local farm produce for wholesale distribution to institutions and food access programs. Comparable to FCS as a community-supported food hub working at the intersection of food system change and small producer support.
• The Food Corridor: US-based commercial kitchen rental platform offering shared commercial kitchens and incubator space for food entrepreneurs. Comparable to FCS as a commercial kitchen hire operator focused on scaling food entrepreneurs through flexible, no-lock-in access to production infrastructure.
• Common Market Philadelphia: Philadelphia-based nonprofit food hub operating a 60,000+ sqft warehouse that aggregates and distributes regional farm produce to wholesale and food access channels. Comparable to FCS as a mission-driven regional food hub combining warehousing, distribution, and community food access.

Broad incumbents

• CloudKitchens: Well-capitalized ghost-kitchen infrastructure operator offering restaurant-quality delivery-only kitchens for food entrepreneurs. Comparable to FCS's commercial kitchen hire product but operates at much greater scale with technology-enabled booking and brand-agnostic positioning.
• Pilotworks: Brooklyn-based shared commercial kitchen operator providing flexible hourly kitchen rental and food entrepreneur support. Comparable to FCS's commercial kitchen hire model as a peer in the shared commercial kitchen category, though at greater scale and with a more commercial orientation.

Regional players

• The Community Grocer: Sydney-based social enterprise operating weekly farmers markets and food access programs in low-income communities across NSW. Comparable to FCS as a fellow Australian community food organization focused on ethical local food access, though operating in a different geography and with a market-based rather than hub-infrastructure model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/foodconnectshed
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/foodconnectshed

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Food Connect Shed