Fat Farmers expansion to support physical and mental health in drought-hit SA

A grassroots health initiative born in the Yorke Peninsula is making major strides across regional South Australia, with the group Fat Farmers soon to establish eight new physical activity groups across drought-affected regional areas - building on its existing network of 23 community groups.

The rural health initiative’s program focuses on promoting mental wellbeing through social connection and exercise, tailored to local needs.

The upcoming extension comes as part of a $1 million State Government mental health support package announced in July.

Ben Wundersitz, co-founder of Fat Farmers, joined The Country Viewpoint on FlowFM to discuss the group's growing impact and the importance of physical activity and social connection for rural wellbeing.

He said Fat Farmers started with three 40-year-old farmers at Maitland who decided to confront the fact that their fitness levels had slipped as they’d gotten older.

“Over the years as we got older, we’d stopped playing sport - were watching the kids instead - eating fast food, putting on weight - and our wives were complaining we were snoring,” Mr Wundersitz said.

What began as a casual endeavour to “get a bit fitter and healthier” among friends has since grown into a statewide network of 23 community groups — soon to be 31 — with more than just fitness in mind.

“You always say you’re too busy to exercise, but you felt so much better afterwards you end up getting a lot more work done in the long run anyway,” Mr Wundersitz said.

With new funding from the state government as part of the Malinauskas Government’s $73 million Drought Support Package, Fat Farmers is establishing eight new groups in drought-affected regions. While exact locations are still being finalised, Mr Wundersitz said that community interest is already strong.

“You just see those life-changing outcomes, group on group,” he said. “There is a direct relationship between doing physical activity and better mental health — and once you’ve experienced that, you just want more.”

The organisation’s growth reflects more than just an interest in exercise. The Fat Farmers programs offer rural communities a much-needed avenue for social support, particularly during tough seasons.

“We really encourage our groups to get together – for a coffee or something of sorts – after the sessions, and often that coffee and the conversation after is equally as important as the exercise,” Mr Wundersitz said.

“What we found is through that people end up with a whole network of people who care and are looking out for you at a different level. It’s just as good as it gets when to comes to supporting and looking out for one another.”

While starting off as a pledge to get healthy between farmers, the community of Fat Farmers now encompasses a broad range of people from regional communities – from mechanics to tradies to local store owners.

“It’s really just rural people,” Mr Wundersitz said. “Tough times go right through the community. What I’ve really enjoyed is seeing people from all walks of life come together — it’s all inclusive.”

For those wanting to get involved or start a group, Fat Farmers can be found online at fatfarmers.com, or via social media. Executive Officer Jane Brine and Community Engagement Manager Michael Williams are also available to help connect communities with support.

 “There’s always a need in rural communities for more connection,” Mr Wundersitz said.

“It doesn’t take much time to put a few people together and do a bit of exercise — and I think it’ll be great for your community.”