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Indiana grapples with worsening food deserts, underscored by an increase in its food insecurity rate from 9.4% in May 2020 to 13.4% in December 2022, 1 this study investigates the potential of technology to bridge market information gaps and enhance self-sustainability in communities. Existing research focuses on trade and policy reform, and infrastructure investment as interventions to solve food insecurity but overlooks the importance of comprehensive market information dissemination, a gap highlighted by organizations like the FAO and the World Bank. To bridge this gap, our research involved user studies with farmers, food banks, and low-income consumers through surveys, interviews, and low-fidelity evaluations. This approach helped uncover key issues of affordability and market accessibility as underlying barriers to an on-ground solution. We developed Project GreenBasket in response to the aforementioned problems, an online marketplace featuring direct sales channels for farmers, an affordable click-and-collect model for pick-up locations for consumers, and SNAP and nutrition tracking for relevant stakeholders working towards food security. GreenBasket not only addresses the identified gaps in literature but also aims to enhance food security and equity in Indiana, contributing towards the Sustainable Development Goals of Zero Hunger. Our findings reveal the significant potential of technology in improving market access and efficiency, showcasing a scalable model to combat food insecurity.
Patel et al. (Sat,) studied this question.