It was the shot in the arm that rural businesses needed in the prolonged dry.
But now the rural retail initiative, Buy from the Bush (BFTB @buyfromthebush), is not only promoting businesses affected by drought but those impacted by COVID-19 to help stimulate the coffers of our regional economy.
Many businesses have adapted the way they operate to keep the doors open in this crisis from doing home delivery for the first time or taking to social media to promote their business.
BFTB founder Grace Brennan said it was still focused on building its following and showcasing more and more bush businesses.
"The engagement has been strong despite the tumultuous start to 2020," Mrs Brennan said.
She said the feedback from customers was that they still wanted to keep supporting bush business with consumers caring more about where they spend their money.
"Our challenge is to keep it engaging for people and to amplify our message even more," she said.
"At this strange time of social isolation people are using social media and browsing online more than ever. Anecdotally there seems to be a heightened awareness of the importance of supporting small business at this time.
"We need to invest in increasing the capacity of bush businesses to sell their story as much as their product and connecting them directly with the consumer."
She said many micro businesses featured on BFTB in recent months had been able to grow their online presence through e-commerce platforms and a greater social media presence.
"It's an important time to use the BFTB platform to support bush business while being aware of the challenges felt elsewhere. Within the context of coronavirus, a collective voice and a visible platform may be critical for small business in the bush," she said.
"Visibility is critical as bricks and mortar stores close."
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Belle Armstrong and Eloise Harris from Texas Jane, a women's clothing boutique in Wagga Wagga, are among many regional businesses who have grown their online presence on Instagram and Facebook to reach a greater audience.
They are doing this by showing customers how to wear clothes with virtual styling sessions including showcasing outfits of the day as well as doing master classes on denim or how to wear a white t-shirt 10 different ways.
"We had to figure out new ways to connect with customers, we had to adapt and social media has certainly become a valuable tool," Ms Armstrong said. They are also doing local delivery where they take clothes to customers and wait outside while they try them on.
