MAKE A DIFFERENCE :
Ben and Jimbo ’ s Delivery with Ability
Ben and Jim offer amazing produce in their Delivery with Ability fruit and vegetable boxes . by Lorna Gordon
When I spoke to Sue Walker from Ben and Jimbo ’ s Delivery with Ability , I thought this is a no nonsense , enthusiastic and determined woman , and she didn ’ t disappoint me .
When Sue ’ s son Jim , the Jimbo from Ben and Jimbo ’ s , lost his job of fifteen years in the warehouse at The House with No Steps ( now part of the Aruma group ) earlier this year she could see what a negative effect it had on him .
“ He had been working five days a week for 15 years , independently catching a bus and train and he loved it . When he lost his job , he lost all these people he worked with every day and his routine , which he relies on . I could tell he was devastated ,” Sue said .
Not the type of woman to sit and let the world pass her by she decided to act on an idea she had been mulling over for some time ; to start a business for Jim . She spoke to Julie , who is the mother of Jim ’ s best friend , Ben , and with her approval for Ben to be part of it , Ben and Jimbo ’ s Delivery with Ability came to life .
Sue ’ s idea was for Ben and Jim to sell boxes of fruit and veggies online and deliver them to people ’ s homes . While this was a simple and brilliant idea , making it happen meant getting other businesses involved .
However , Sue was lucky and was introduced to Mouhamad Dib and Zac
Onfray from In2Food who agreed to provide their fresh food and the boxes that it would be packed into . She then approached Pat Nati from Nati ’ s Roses and asked if they would be willing to supply flowers , and she was delighted when they said yes .
While Sue helps behind the scenes , the hard work is all down to Ben and Jim when it comes to making up the boxes and packing them .
“ I check the orders on a Wednesday night and sent though our requirements to the procurement guy at In2Foods . They go the markets early on Thursday morning and the boys get the veggies later that morning . Then the boys have the list of what goes into each box and pack the boxes themselves and load them up for delivery ,” Sue explained .
After only being open for a few weeks , the business has already got 25 regular orders each week , which is perfect for the two cars available for delivery at the moment . Sue thinks they will need a van in the near future if they get busier , and she hopes they can employ another person with a disability to help with the picking and packing .
If you want to check out the produce and try one of the boxes in their range which includes two different sizes of produce boxes , a gift box and the option of adding beautiful roses to your order , you can go to www . deliverywithability . com . au .
THE HILLS INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 89 // NOVEMBER 2022 9