Promoting Generosity: Enhancing McMasters' community fridge
MacChangers 2023-2024 Final Deliverable - Team A10
Executive Summary
Group Members
Communities, Art, and Culture - Team A10
Mission Statement
"Our mission is to eradicate hunger and enhance the well-being of McMaster University students by fostering a food-secure campus environment. We are dedicated to ensuring that every student has equitable access to nourishing, balanced meals, thus removing barriers to academic success. Through collaboration with campus clubs, awareness of food options with our app, and advocacy for sustainable solutions, we aspire to create a university community where no student faces the challenge of food insecurity."
Description
Food insecurity is an issue that affects many people in the world today but is evident greatly in universities and colleges. Approximately 15% of full-time students on college campuses are food insecure (Bhawra et al., 2021) . There are many variables affecting food insecurity on college campuses including a lack of access to nutritional food options and the increasing cost of living. When students lack access to nutritional meals, it affects not only their physical and mental health but their ability to do well in their studies. To combat food insecurity on McMaster’s campus, our team’s s proposes revamping the interior layout of the community fridge and the development of an app that collects data on the fridge’s inventory.
Our How Might We Question:
How might we raise awareness and engagement among McMaster students to actively contribute to and effectively manage the community fridge on campus?
Human Centred Design
Stakeholder | Goals | Barriers |
|---|---|---|
Students | -- Access to affordable and nutritious food on campus. | -- Financial constraints. This can limit how much access students have to healthy and diverse options given that healthy foods are often more expensive than unhealthier alternatives. -- Special dietary needs. Restrictions such as vegetarian, halal or gluten-free diets can cause buying food to be more expensive; this can act as a limitation to students who can not easily access such food items. -- Location. There may be difficulty accessing locations that can provide students with the food items they need within their price range. Many students do not have vehicles and rely on public transportation to get around, thus, rely on nearby stores when buying food products. If distance acts as a barrier they may be limited in their choices. |
Local Food Suppliers | -- Creating opportunities for cooperation with universities. -- Accessing a stable market for locally sourced and sustainably produced food. -- Increasing community awareness of their products and brand. | -- Meeting the requirements for both quantity and consistency of an institution such as a university. -- Pricing for locally sourced and sustainable products. |
University Administration | -- Improve the campus's reputation for sustainability and inclusivity. | -- Budget constraints may deter investment in food programs targeted at alleviating food insecurity. |
Our Research Findings
SDG Alignment
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a globally recognized framework for addressing some of the world's most pressing challenges. Envisioned by the United Nations, the SDGs consist of 17 interconnected objectives that aim to eradicate poverty, promote prosperity, protect the planet, and ensure well-being for all by 2030. These goals provide a roadmap for a more equitable and sustainable future, underscoring the need for collective action to create positive change. In this section, we will explore how our project aligns with two specific SDGs - SDG 2: "Zero Hunger" and SDG 3: "Good Health and Well-being."
Case Studies and Findings
Explain your primary research here!
Revised Questions After Speaking to the Community
How our conversations with community members Sue Smith and Justin Eisinga have changed our research questions! Swipe to see the change!
Our Timeline
Measuring Success
How will you and your team measure the success of your solution should it be implemented?
To measure our success, we plan to utilize a survey as well as collect data from our app. From the survey, we hope to gain more qualitative information, such as feedback from students who may have benefitted from our solution. In regards to our data collection method, we hope to gain quantitative information, such as the number of visitors to our community fridge, the number of app users, etc.
Our Solution Ideas
Equitable and Inclusive Consideration
App Prototype
Considerations made about our solution to make it more equitable and inclusive while exploring the 4 lenses of accessibility; Physical, Communicative, Financial, and Digital.
Project Viability
Final Solution
Our solution is an app to track real-time inventory of the community fridge
Our Pitch to Stakeholders
We are thrilled to present to you an innovative solution designed to enhance the way we manage our community fridge. Imagine an app that not only streamlines the donation process but also fosters a sense of community and inclusivity among us all.
Our app serves as a dynamic registry, allowing users to specify what they wish to donate to the community fridge. This approach ensures a balanced stock, and empowers users by providing visibility into available items before they make the trip to the fridge. No more disappointment upon arrival, only the satisfaction of finding what you need ready and waiting.
But wait, there's more. We understand the struggles of meal planning, especially for students. That's why our app includes a recipe-sharing feature, where students can exchange culinary inspiration and create delicious meals using items from the community fridge. Whether you're a culinary connoisseur or a kitchen novice, there's something for everyone to discover and enjoy.
Furthermore, we recognize the diverse dietary needs within our community. That's why our app includes group features where members can join specific dietary groups such as vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free. Here, they can share tips, recipes, and support one another on their culinary journeys. It's about more than just food—it's about creating a supportive network where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.
We believe that anonymity is paramount. That's why there is no identification process, ensuring that every user can access the resources they need without fear or hesitation.
In essence, our app is more than just a tool for managing the community fridge. It's a catalyst for connection, collaboration, and compassion. Together, we can ensure that no member of our McMaster family goes hungry and that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Our Experience with MacChangers
Our experience with MacChangers has been incredibly enriching and transformative. Throughout this journey, we've delved deep into the heart of our mission: eradicating hunger and enhancing the well-being of McMaster University students. Reflecting on our journey, there are several key learnings and favorite aspects that have deeply resonated with us. As we delved deeper into the issue of food insecurity, we gained a deeper appreciation for the lived experiences of those affected. This understanding has not only fueled our passion for our mission but has also guided us in developing a solution that is centers around the needs of our community members to ensure it is truly impactful and inclusive.
Moreover, our experience with MacChangers has reinforced the importance of innovation and adaptability. In navigating the landscape of food insecurity, we've had to remain flexible and open to new ideas. Whether it's exploring innovative technologies or adapting our approach based on feedback, we've learned that being willing to iterate and evolve is essential for driving meaningful change. Beyond the invaluable lessons learned, there have been many favorite aspects of our experience with MacChangers. One highlight has been the shared purpose among participants. Coming together with like-minded individuals who are equally passionate about creating positive change has been incredibly inspiring and uplifting.
Our proposed solution, the Fridge-Check App, is a culmination of these learnings and insights. By leveraging technology to facilitate food donations, monitor inventory levels, and share nutritious recipes, we aim to create a campus community where no student faces the challenge of food insecurity. This solution embodies the principles of equity, inclusivity, and diversity, ensuring that every student has equitable access to nourishing meals while fostering a sense of community and support.
One of the most valuable aspects of this experience has been the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded individuals who share our passion for creating positive change. The guidance and support we received from the MacChangers team, including our community mentor Lara Dale, program lead Selena Esteves, and program co-lead Kyle Ansilio, have been invaluable. Their expertise and encouragement have helped us refine our vision and develop a comprehensive solution to address food insecurity on campus. Additionally, we are immensely grateful for the insights and feedback provided by our community partners, including Justin Eisinga, the executive director of 541 Eatery and Exchange, Maureen Saha, the community coordinator from the McMaster Community Fridge, and Sue Smith from Mission Services of Hamilton. Their real-world experience and dedication to serving the community have been instrumental in shaping our approach and ensuring its relevance and effectiveness.
