Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Existing approaches to alleviate food deserts typically focus on providing subsidies to chain-store grocers that open supermarket options in underserved populations. Scientific research indicates that model may not be the most effective, as evidence suggests that proximity is not a primary driving factor of food access. Recent studies indicate that new types of means-tested subsidies may be more effective than supply-side subsidies to chain stores. Further, community-led food organizations and cooperatives show increased likelihood of engagement by populations served. The goal of this Phase I R&D is to determine feasibility for a proprietary digital infrastructure to provide the mechanisms to deploy means-tested subsidies while also complying with data privacy regulations. The result will provide new types of means-tested subsidies and data-driven decision making models to be deployed and utilized on individual, community, and stakeholder bases. Additionally, this research will conduct social science research interviews and statistical surveys to gather a preliminary basis of understanding how means-tested subsidies may be successfully deployed and how community-led organizations/stakeholders can be better equipped to design and implement policy to alleviate food deserts and nutritional insecurities. In partnership with Eastern Community and Technical College, Universal Schedule and Booking aims to determine feasibility to deploy means-tested subsidies in real-time bases using a selection of potential deployment options. This research aligns with the National Institute of Food and Agricultural Topic 8.5 Research Priorities of developing portable technologies for nutrition security, food safety, and quality data tools.
Animal Health Component
0%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
25%
Applied
30%
Developmental
45%
Goals / Objectives
The results of this R&D aims to demonstrate feasibility for a digital infrastructure to deploy means-tested subsidies (MTS) to households and provide the following benefits, (i) Improved Access to Nutritious Foods: The MTS will significantly enhance access to nutritious foods for individuals facing financial constraints. By providing MTS, the initiative directly contributes to better dietary choices and improved overall health among participants, reducing the risk of diet-related health issues; (ii) Health Equity: Addressing food access barriers among low-income residents promotes health equity, fostering conditions for all members of the community access and resources to lead healthy lives. The program plays a vital role in bridging the gap between socioeconomic status and health outcomes; (iii) Community Empowerment: The program's emphasis on community partnerships empowers local businesses, markets, and urban farms. By distributing MTS within these establishments, the initiative bolsters their economic viability, strengthens community ties, and encourages a sense of shared responsibility for the well-being of the neighborhood; and (iv) Environmental Sustainability: By promoting increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, the program indirectly supports environmentally sustainable food choices. fruits and vegetables have a smaller carbon footprint compared to some other food options, aligning with broader environmental sustainability goals.
Project Methods
USB has strong experience conducting research interviews to produce qualitative data that is developed into deep statistical surveys to quantify the data, following the NSF I-Corps methodology. Functional and technical analyses seek to identify potential use cases of the technology, for both recipients of the MTS and community organizations. The analytical uses best practices with software development and experience working with individuals and organizations in underserved communities. This also requires a technical understanding of how software is developed and how to leverage existing software systems to develop potential implementation with grocery store registers and apps. Our goal is not to require recipients to use high-tech apps, but to provide low-tech access points that can, e.g., include cash subsidies associated with food-based MTS purchases paid to rewards accounts. Rapid prototyping and "agile" software research and development will produce a prototype "blueprint" of the system.