A new report shows Buy From The Bush is continuing to help rural businesses and communities thrive, and shifting the narrative for rural Australia

Buy From The Bush (BFTB) has generated more than $9M in revenue for rural small businesses since launching in 2019 according to their latest Impact Report, in partnership with Meta (formerly Facebook). 

Insights from the report highlight the impacts of BFTB and digitally enabled rural businesses across Australia, and the flow-on benefits to local economies and communities. Key findings from the ‘Buy From The Bush: Harnessing the power of digital tools to create lasting change in rural Australia’ Report include:

BFTB promotes the growth of female-led businesses which diversify regional economies - 97% of BFTB businesses are owned by women, and 69% of rural SMBs agree that digital businesses present opportunities for rural communities to grow. Women in rural Australia have been able to share in the commercial success generated by digitally-enabled businesses like BFTB.

Digitally-enabled small businesses can crisis-proof rural communities - 96% of rural SMB respondents believe SMBs are critical for regional communities. The power of digital connectivity has shown businesses can exist anywhere, and the emergence of more successful digital businesses has helped rural communities through back to back crises.

BFTB is broadening people’s perception of rural Australia’s potential beyond the farm gate - 70% of surveyed BFTB followers said BFTB had changed their perception of rural communities. More people are choosing to shop with purpose, and come to BFTB to support rural Australia businesses.

The report also highlights the incredibly important role SMB’s play in the community. With 96% of SMB’s acknowledging they are critical for regional communities, with the top reasons including providing jobs (85%), improving quality of life (74%) and helping to create a vibrant community (72%).

Since 2019, BFTB has amassed more than 550,000 followers across Facebook and Instagram, processed over 50,000 transactions via the BFTB Marketplace and onboarded more than 250 bush-based creators, makers and small businesses. 

Buy From The Bush: Harnessing the power of digital tools to create lasting change in rural Australia, was created by Buy From The Bush in partnership with Meta. Since 2019, Buy from the Bush and Meta, have been working together to showcase rural and regional small businesses across Australia giving them the tools, training and resources to grow and thrive.

Grace Brennan, Founder of Buy From The Bush, said: “The growth of Buy From The Bush has clearly demonstrated the talent and ingenuity of rural makers, creators, artists and retailers launching and scaling businesses from ‘the middle of nowhere’. Our hope is that off-farm, women-led enterprises continue to grow and contribute layers of diversity and opportunity to rural Australia. As we emerge from the global COVID-19 pandemic and in the wake of what has been a devastating week for communities in parts of Eastern Australia, it is more important than ever that small businesses in regional Australia remain visible and accessible. If supported and enabled, they will undoubtedly play a critical role in rebuilding the Australian economy.”

Alisha Elliott, Head of Policy Programs for Meta ANZ, said: “Through drought, bushfires, and now as we emerge from the pandemic, Buy From The Bush has shown that platforms like Facebook and Instagram can be a great equaliser for businesses in regional and remote Australia. Buy From The Bush’s success is a testament to how strong and digitally-enabled businesses aren’t just beneficial for the people in the business, but also vital to support thriving communities across regional Australia. That’s why we’re incredibly proud to have partnered with Buy From The Bush to support rural businesses across Australia with the tools, training and resources to grow and thrive.”

Bruce Billson, Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, said: “Small businesses are integral to the vitality of rural and regional communities, and during times of difficulty we’ve seen the importance of digital tools in adding to the viability, robustness and preparedness for businesses. Seeing what Grace and the many Buy From The Bush businesses have achieved over the last two years in response to the drought, is absolutely inspiring to see and shows the very best of resilience and community spirit in action.”