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Food banks provide services and food assistance to those facing food insecurity, a challenge that can affect families and individuals from various backgrounds and communities. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are principal factors in food bank operations. This study focuses on diversity as measured by client ethnicities and the rurality of the counties served by the food banks. Over 44 food banks were interviewed to understand their operations. Key performance indicator (KPI) metrics in each organization were identified and classified as Community Focused (CF), involving tailored services based on community needs, and Organizational Efficiency Focused (OE), involving processes and strategies to increase output and minimize resources. A clustering analysis was conducted to group these organizations depending on the percentage of rural counties served by the food banks and their respective zscore based on diversity index, so four clusters (tiers) were created (Tier 1 are the least diverse and the most rural, while those in the fourth tier are the most diverse and the least rural). The KPIs in each tier organization were examined and results suggest that organizations in Tier 1 use more OE KPI metrics whereas those in Tier 4 use a more balanced combination of CF and OE metrics. This research provides hunger-relief organizations insights to adopt practices that acknowledge, accommodate, and celebrate the diverse needs and characteristics of the neighborhood they serve. 

Non-profit hunger relief organizations primarily depend on donors’ benevolence to help alleviate hunger in their communities. However, the quantity and frequency of donations they receive may vary over time, thus making fair distribution of donated supplies challenging. This paper presents a hierarchical forecasting methodology to determine the quantity of food donations received per month in a multi-warehouse food aid network. We further link the forecasts to an optimization model to identify the fair allocation of donations, considering the network distribution capacity in terms of supply chain coordination and flexibility. The results indicate which locations within the network are under-served and how donated supplies can be allocated to minimize the deviation between overserved and underserved counties. 

Hunger relief organizations often estimate food demand using food distribution data. Leveraging Visual Analytics (VA) and historical data, we examine how underlying factors like unemployment, poverty rate, and median household income affect forecasts for aid recipients’ food demand. Our study reveals that incorporating these factors enhances forecast accuracy. Visual Analytics empowers decision-makers to integrate field knowledge with computational insights, enabling more informed decisions. This innovative approach presents a valuable tool for charitable organizations to strategically improve forecasting precision in the dynamic landscape of hunger relief. 

Food banks are key players in the fight against hunger. The complexity of the food bank operations data makes decision-making very challenging. Data visualization can allow food bank operations managers to quickly and easily understand the data and make evidence-based decisions. However, poorly designed visualizations could be confusing and/or misleading. This study uses eye-tracking technology to understand how users interact with various food bank data visualizations and use eye-tracking data to better design those visualizations. The findings of this study will have an impact on improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the food bank operations. 

Food insecurity is a problem that should not be overlooked in America. In 2022, about 1.3 billion people were food insecure, an increase of 10% from the previous year. Food deserts, an area with low income and low access to nutritious foods, can be characterized by 5A’s: availability, accessibility, accommodation, affordability, and acceptability. As more investments go into building infrastructure for population growth, the local food industry must expand for both current and new residents. One strategy to combat food deserts is to use the Internet and e-commerce like online food services can contribute to solving food insecurity. From Generation X to Millennials to Generation Z, the adoption of the Internet is rapid. However, these services have additional costs for the consumer. The goal of this research was to examine the current e-commerce solutions to food deserts in a local area and review the literature on how e-commerce can alleviate food deserts. Data were collected from published government and company sites. Results reveal Internet accessibility continues to be an issue for reliable e-commerce use. E-commerce can alleviate food deserts by reducing the cost for both consumers and businesses, accommodating various groups of people, and focusing on rural areas. 

Food banks are at the forefront of the battle against food insecurity which is a condition where households do not have adequate access to food. Traditionally speaking, food banks focus on distributing food to meet the needs. Recently, more food banks are shifting to supply adequate healthy food based on the populations they serve. However, the question remains whether a local food bank can find racial communities in need with dietary considerations. This study's purpose is to use data collected by a local food bank and create visualizations to aid strategic decision-making for the food bank to recognize racial communities with those who have dietary considerations. Results revealed nine out of sixteen counties in the service area of the local food bank have the highest number of African Americans allergic to shellfish compared to a few counties having the highest number of Whites, American Indians, and Hispanic/Latinos. Additionally, 53.7% of African Americans, 11.2% of Hispanics and Latinos, and 34.3% of Whites face lactose intolerance. Data shows that African Americans have the highest number of dietary considerations in most categories that are in several counties. The significance of this study supports a local food bank in finding dietary considerations within the areas they serve. Finding racial communities that face dietary considerations will aid the local food bank in making better strategic decisions on what types of food they should serve and where. Ultimately, the importance of this study is to combat food insecurity and hunger, so that members of the local food bank community can have dignity in knowing the food that will be given is valuable and not wasted.

 

Food insecurity, an economic and social condition where households have limited access to nutritious food, is a long-standing and growing problem in both the rural and urban areas of the United States. Food deserts refer to areas that do not have adequate food access to affordable and nutritious food. Food deserts can be characterized by availability, accessibility, accommodation, affordability, and acceptability (5A’s). This research investigates food deserts in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, which includes the city of Charlotte. The food insecure population estimate in Mecklenburg County is about 15% which is higher than the national average of 11%. Using visual analytics, a combination of analytics and human factors, this study aims to examine how age, education, and income are related to food deserts in Mecklenburg County. Data gathered from US Census Bureau was used for analysis. Results indicated that education and food desert status, and age and food desert status in Mecklenburg County were related.

 

This article provides an evidence-based discussion of an ongoing effort within the operations of hunger relief organizations to address diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) by sourcing and distributing more culturally relevant food. Through nearly 100 interviews with food bank personnel in diverse roles (from partner agency relations to executives) representing various regions of the United States, we explore the challenges faced by different functional units within the organization. These interviews indicate a shift to more inclusive language, more personalized metrics, and more inclusive operations. We critically analyze the related literature and identify opportunities for infusing DEI practices in the study of hunger relief supply chains.

 

Food insecurity is defined as an individual or household’s inability or limited access to safe and nutritious food that every person in the household need for an active, healthy life. In this research, we apply visual analytics, the integration of data analytics and interactive visualization, to provide evidence-based decision-making for a local food bank to better understand the people and communities in its service area and improve the reach and impact of the food bank. We have identified the indicators of the need, rates of usage, and other factors related to the general accessibility of the food bank and its programs. Interactive dashboards were developed to allow decision-makers of the food bank to combine their field knowledge with the computing power to make evidence-based informed decisions in complex hunger relief operations.