Our previous blog post “Is Technology Serving Up Food (In)Security” explored the relationship between technologies and food security. However, we wondered how using food banks and food charity groups websites creates social distance between those with food, and those without. Is technology contributing to the normalization of food banking as a solution to food insecurity? Or does it risk reducing meaningful community interactions to transactional online exchanges that limit pathways to more dignified, sustainable solutions? In this post, we consider more promising examples of platforms and website designs that open new ways to address food insecurity.
We analyzed over 20 food banks and hubs websites in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland and found that it takes an average of 4-5 clicks for a person looking for no/low-cost food to find information about where or when they might access food. In some cases, the information is either unavailable, or difficult to access, making it frustrating to even look for food, let alone access it. We mapped the time and costs as well as the distance it might take for people we work with at the drop-in computer classes to get to a local food bank.
The team found that a trip to and from the food bank can cost between $6 – $8 and take over an hour commute. We also noticed that people must share various kinds of personal data to obtain food, a requirement that not only invades their privacy but can strip them of their dignity. As we described and concluded in “Is Technology Serving Up Food (In) Security?” food bank websites seem not to be designed for people looking for timely access to nutritious food. Instead, they are primarily directed at potential donors, volunteers and social service agency workers who mediate access to food banks.
In our analysis we came across one exception–the Bellingham Food Bank–in the US, just across the border from us, which announces its stance on food security on the landing page: “food justice is social justice”. The opening days and times of the food bank are displayed prominently on the landing page along with three buttons; ‘Get Food’, ‘Give’ ‘Volunteer’. Upon clicking ‘Get Food’ three different food programs appear, each responsive to diverse needs in their community. Contrary to most food banks we have visited that provide a pre-set basket of foods for community members, the free grocery program offers a supermarket-like experience where folks can shop for the foods they prefer.
In addition to the free grocery program, people can also experience a drive-through service for convenient food pick-up. For this, people are asked to register ahead with their name and the number of people in their household so boxes can be ready, but they also assured that, “We will not ask for income verification or address verification, and we do not need to see any ‘official’ forms.” The need to register ahead seems to be a new practice at the Bellingham Food Bank, one they might have implemented reluctantly (indeed, they explain that a significant donor required this information).
The third option for food access is a home delivery program for those who may have difficulty getting to physical locations; people can choose a Basic, Latin American, Vegan and Gluten Free box. We noticed that that option is fully subscribed, which we interpret as a sign of high demand for more accessible and flexible food options that cater to diverse dietary needs.
What does all this have to do with automation? We have been studying how the design and use of technologies embed beliefs and values. As charitable food banking expands as the dominant response to food insecurity (in contrast to a food sovereignty or food justice perspective), websites and online forms become efficient vehicles to solicit donations and to collect, analyze and share data about food bank clients to share with funders and governments, who in turn make their support contingent upon that data. This creates a food security ecosystem in which access to food, which many see as a basic right, is contingent upon sharing data.
This system is not caused by people who work in food banks; everyone is caught up in datafication. The Bellingham Food Bank uses their website to communicate its values, recognize resistance to datafication, and explain why it became necessary, all the while trying to minimize its impacts and respect the dignity of community members.
Working in an imperfect system, they nevertheless reframe food insecurity not solely as a distribution issue, or an issue confined to low-income individuals, but rather as a prevailing social phenomenon. Everyone needs food. Not everyone can afford it. This broad-based solution emphasizes the key role automation plays in streamlining and enhancing food security for all.
Free groceries
In Canada, the province of Saskatchewan has opened its first free supermarket-like store in Regina as part of the ongoing efforts to increasingly adopt more inclusive approaches that leverage automation as a viable solution to food sovereignty. In a recent broadcast by CBC News, Regina Food Bank Vice-president, David Froh, highlighted an increase in people using the food bank in his region. He emphasized that approximately 25% of children in the community experienced food insecurity. Hinting at the dehumanizing effects of traditional food bank models Froh said, “None of us fit into a box, but that’s what we are giving our food bank clients today.” As a result, he saw the need to remove the ‘food box’ model and instead, focus on giving people autonomy in making their own food choices. This, he believes, will restore dignity despite experiencing food instability.
Here in Vancouver, QUEST, a similar [supermarket-like] ‘free’ grocery store model offers low-cost food to individuals in need. Their website emphasizes the need to utilize the grocery store model to preserve dignity while focusing on access and sustainability. However, registration is required, and this raises concerns about the comfort of sharing personal information potentially contradicting the purpose of using the free grocery model and seems to be at odds with the initiative’s aim to provide accessible, judgment-free support for those in need.
For those facing food insecurity, the requirement to share private information might feel intrusive, potentially discouraging them from seeking the support they need. The connection between accessing food and the requirement to disclose personal information seems to confound the issue of dignity and privacy. This highlights a broader concern about datafication as it increases the extent to which personal information becomes a requirement for access to food.
We aim to explore how a sense of dignity can be woven into the design of everyday technologies that people rely on to access food, so that access to nutritious food is seamless and more considerate of the emotional aspects of not having enough food or not knowing IF one will have enough food.
Digital platforms such as websites, social media and food apps play an important role in people’s ability to find food as they can quickly connect individuals with nearby food resources, give updates on availability, and provide information on eligibility requirements for food assistance. Some of these platforms are user-friendly and do an excellent job of simplifying the process of locating food resources, often providing real-time updates and clear eligibility information, which can reduce barriers to accessing essential support. For example, Food Bank Canada, utilizes different social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X (formerly Twitter) to ensure that information about food banks, food programs and food security in general, reaches a wider audience. This is done by sharing posts, stories, and campaigns that highlight their services, showcase success stories, and encourage community involvement through donations, volunteering, and spreading awareness.
Using this multi-platform approach to share information about food is helpful in promoting a more inclusive and supportive community. It raises awareness, encourages community support, and sensitizes people to food insecurity. This will foster greater empathy and drive a collective effort to address the problem.
Automation is helpful when it breaks down language barriers that might prevent individuals from seeking assistance for food. Some websites are ahead of the game in ensuring that they reach as many people as possible. For example, the Burnaby Neighourhood House (BNH) website displays information in many different languages (Arabic, English, Farsi, Darri, to name a few), ensuring that everyone can understand how to access food resources and services. This multilingual approach demonstrates inclusivity and a commitment to serving all members of the community, ensuring that everyone can find the help they need in a comfortable and welcoming environment. While these digital platforms can improve food accessibility, they still operate within a framework shaped by the persistent scarcity and technicity of food distribution. This raises a critical question: what if food were abundant and accessible without the need for complex systems and personal data exchange?
While we contemplate this question, the importance of addressing food scarcity with innovative solutions becomes clear. Using automation to adopt comprehensive and inclusive approaches to food security is essential for reaching and supporting all people in need. In this way, the resources are efficiently and broadly distributed, and no one falls through the cracks. Join us in our next blog when we examine the challenges of balancing technological innovation with the human aspect of food justice.