Food Podge

Project Description

FoodPodge is mobile phone app that gamifies the process of getting free and discounted food while increasing awareness of food insecurity, using endearing characters to combat issues.

Problem

Food insecurity for students on college campuses often goes under the radar due to either lack of knowledge, or stigma around the topic. This causes students to not be able to get the help that they so desperately need. So how might we get students engaged in raising awareness about food insecurity, while still helping themselves and others through free and discounted food networks?

Insights

-People do not know what food insecurity means, usually not recognizing that they might be food insecure themselves. -There is a shame stigma revolving around being food insecure that causes people to value privacy over getting the food they need. -It takes just one bad month for someone to fall behind and not be able to manage for themselves.

Solutions

FoodPodge app will gamify the process of getting free and discounted food while increasing awareness of food insecurity, using endearing characters to combat issues. People with more income are encouraged to shop at places/businesses that fight food insecurity to continue to help students. FoodPodge also provides cooking lessons and ingredient deliveries to address time sensitivity, making the process of getting food fun, engaging, and sustainable.