One of ShefFood’s founding partners has just made a major move—quite literally. Regather, the beloved Sheffield-based food co-operative, has officially bought the building they’ve called home since 2010. This momentous step forward marks not only the co-op’s 15th birthday but also a landmark win for Sheffield’s good food movement.
If you’ve ever ordered a Regather veg box, visited one of their events, or enjoyed produce from their market garden in the Moss Valley, you’ll know they’re no ordinary operation. They’ve long been a powerhouse of local food, community connection, and environmental care. And now, thanks to a £250,000 government grant from the UK Government Community Ownership Fund, they’ve secured the long-term future of their base in Sharrow—a decision that will bear fruit for years to come.
In a time when independent food businesses are facing enormous pressures, Regather’s success is more than good news—it’s a glimmer of what’s possible when community, resilience, and vision come together. The building on Club Garden Road is a hub of activity where fresh veg is packed, ideas are born, workshops are run, and Sheffield’s food future is being shaped.
It’s also a base for Regather’s many services: organic veg box deliveries across the city, community cooking and growing sessions, farm education visits, garden consultancy, seasonal celebrations, and more. With ownership secured, the co-op can plan for an even greener future. There’s talk of access and energy efficiency improvements, and capacity building to enable more people from the community to get involved as volunteers.
“We wept with joy,” said co-founder Gareth Roberts, recalling the moment they got the call to confirm the funding had been granted. After weeks of intensive work to meet a tight deadline, it felt like a decade and a half of community building had been recognised—and rewarded.
Founded in 2010, Regather started as a small-scale co-operative with a big idea: What if food could be fairer, healthier, and grown closer to home? Since then, they’ve become a vital part of Sheffield’s food system, connecting local growers with local tables, prioritising organic and regenerative practices, and challenging the idea that good food should be a luxury.
From humble beginnings, Regather has blossomed into a multi-strand operation. At the heart of it all is the veg box scheme, which surged in popularity during the pandemic, doubling in size in just two weeks. That growth wasn’t just about demand—it was about trust. In a time of crisis, Regather became a lifeline for many households, delivering not just nutritious food but a friendly face on the doorstep.
Today, their boxes come in all sizes, packed with seasonal produce—often grown right here in South Yorkshire—and tailored to suit household preferences, including plastic-free or UK-only options. This flexibility means more people, from all walks of life, can access better food.
“It’s not always easy, but it’s possible,” says Jess, one of the team members who manages produce and quality control. “And the impact on health, family meals, and the local economy is huge.”
At ShefFood, we couldn’t be more thrilled. Regather’s journey and recent triumph align perfectly with the core themes we champion: supporting local economies, protecting the environment through sustainable food systems, improving public health, and building a fairer, more diverse food landscape.
When local enterprises like Regather thrive, we all benefit. This isn’t just a story about a building—it’s about safeguarding good food jobs, retaining community-owned resources, and keeping money circulating within Sheffield. It’s about nurturing a food economy that’s not extractive, but regenerative. And it’s about creating joyful spaces where people can gather, learn, and grow—whether they’re composting for the first time or planning a sustainable wedding.
Let’s not forget the educational and cultural work Regather does, too. Their farm in the Moss Valley hosts school groups and community days, teaching children and adults alike where their food comes from and why soil health matters. Their venue space in Sharrow has welcomed everything from folk gigs to fermenting workshops, building an inclusive, creative, and empowering food culture.
As Gareth put it, “The community built this resource. Over a thousand people contributed to our funding bid. This is their home.” This spirit of collective effort, not just co-operative ownership on paper, makes Regather such a vital part of Sheffield’s food movement.
With the building secured, Regather is setting its sights on the future. Top of the wish list? Purchasing the farmland in Moss Valley that they currently operate on—cementing their ability to grow even more nutritious, organic food close to home, and getting ready to start an exciting new 4 year project in the heart of the Gleadless Valley. Watch this space!
For us at ShefFood, this moment represents the kind of change we believe in: one rooted in fairness, built from the ground up, and blossoming into something that serves the many, not the few.
We’re proud to call Regather a partner, and even prouder to celebrate this milestone with them.
Want to support a local food system that puts people and the planet first? Curious about what makes Regather’s veg so tasty and nutritious? Or just fancy a workshop to learn something new, a flower bouquet for your big day, or some freshly harvested leeks for your soup?
Visit www.regather.net to explore their veg boxes, events, workshops, and community projects. It’s one small click for you, but one giant leap for local food in Sheffield.
