Byron Talks: UForage Founders Valentino and Tianda
In a world where sustainability and community are becoming more important than ever, the UForage app is leading the charge in food localisation. Created by local Northern Rivers couple Valentino Costa and Tianda Williams, UForage is transforming how we access fresh, local produce, bridging the gap between backyard growers and those seeking quality food while nurturing a stronger sense of place. In this Byron Talks interview, Valentino and Tianda share the inspiration behind the app, how it stands out in the food-sharing space and the meaningful impact it’s already having on the community.
Read on for their insights on creating a platform that celebrates local abundance, fosters connections and builds a more sustainable future for food sharing.
What inspired you to create uForage, and how did the idea come about?
The inspiration for uForage came from many places, both personal and practical. For Valentino, it’s deeply rooted in his Italian heritage. He grew up around a culture where food is sacred, made from scratch and shared abundantly between family and friends. That sense of community and connection through food is a core part of who he is. For me, it started when a fellow school mum introduced me to a roadside stall overflowing with affordable, organic produce grown just down the road. It completely transformed how I shopped and fed our family. We also noticed the quiet abundance around us — fruit trees heavy with unpicked fruit, veggie patches with surplus and generous growers with no platform to share. uForage grew from our desire to bridge those gaps, reduce waste and make fresh, local food more accessible, while nurturing a stronger sense of place and community.
How does uForage differ from other food-sharing or foraging apps currently available?
uForage is free to use and designed to empower people, not mediate their exchanges. We intentionally leave transactions off-platform so users can choose how they want to connect, whether that’s giving, swapping or selling. The platform is more than a map - it’s a space to celebrate local abundance and invite others in. Unlike some apps that focus solely on data or commerce, we’re building a digital commons where food, knowledge and generosity can flow freely. Our focus is hyperlocal and community-first because we believe small, connected actions can ripple outward to create lasting change.
As we grow, we’re committed to staying rooted in values and community care, that’s the heart of everything we do.
What kinds of feedback are you getting from users so far?
The feedback has been incredibly encouraging. We’ve heard from backyard growers who love having a way to share what they have and local producers who’ve had new customers find them through the app. One small grower told us that people are now turning up at her roadside stall saying, “I found you on uForage,” which was really affirming. It’s clear people are excited to be part of something positive and practical - something that brings value to their everyday lives.
You describe uForage as a ‘labour of grit, love and determination’ — what have been some of the biggest challenges in getting it off the ground?
There have been many. We lost everything in the 2022 floods and were displaced for six months, living without a stable home. At the same time, we were parenting four kids and building a tech platform from scratch, mostly off-grid and without a clear roadmap. We’ve self-funded this entire journey as a single-income family of six, which has meant making sacrifices and staying incredibly focused. There were times it felt impossible, but the belief in the mission and the incredible support from early users kept us moving forward.
What’s next for uForage — are there any new features, partnerships or expansion plans on the horizon?
We’re now focused on deepening the community side of the app with new features that support crop swaps, seasonal events and local storytelling. These tools will make it even easier for people to connect, share and organise around food. We’re also in the early stages of forming some exciting partnerships that we hope will amplify our reach and help bring uForage to more communities across Australia. As we grow, we’re committed to staying rooted in values and community care, that’s the heart of everything we do.
Valentino Costa and Tianda Williams
Valentino and Tianda are based in the Northern Rivers of NSW with their family of six.
Valentino, a creative at heart has leant his hand to many different career avenues from script writing, painting, acting, photography, cafe owner, pizza oven builder right through to stock and property investment. His greatest passions are his family and creative outlets, particularly the garden.
Tianda, a full time mother and budding entrepreneur has also had an extensive list of career and creative pursuits including videography, video and radio production, childbirth education, marketing, entertainment management, disc jockey, radio announcer, singer and more.