Overview
The Project
The Zero Hunger App was developed to help residents of social housing access food by leveraging community-based support networks. This project was commissioned by The Pamoja Institute, a non-profit organization supporting the Black community's health and well-being. My role involved end-to-end contributions, including UX research, ideation, design, and facilitating workshops
The Challenge
The Solution
The Zero Hunger app was designed to facilitate peer-to-peer connections among community housing members, leveraging existing social networks to build social capital and promote food sovereignty. The app’s primary features include:
A ticket system for requesting and offering food and services.
A curated pool of tickets based on user needs and trust levels.
A communication system for safe interaction and engagement.
An available resources section highlighting nearby grassroots services.
Goals & Objectives
The project aimed to address food insecurity by empowering community members to meet their own needs through peer connections and AI-driven solutions.
Business objectives included increasing community engagement and leveraging technology for effective resource distribution. Success would be defined by an increase in peer-to-peer food sharing and improved ease of access to healthy food options.
Discover
Research Methods
We conducted stakeholder interviews, semi-structured community member interviews, surveys, and field observations. This approach allowed us to gather both qualitative and quantitative insights about food security, community engagement, and trust.
User Personas & Journey Mapping
We conducted stakeholder interviews, semi-structured community member interviews, surveys, and field observations. This approach allowed us to gather both qualitative and quantitative insights about food security, community engagement, and trust.
Key Insights
The research highlighted the need for a solution that focused on building social capital. There were significant gaps in existing food support systems, particularly around long-term sustainability and access for individuals with specific dietary needs.
Define
Ideation & Concepting
We held ideation workshops with key project partners, including Unified We Grow, to brainstorm solutions. The workshops generated a variety of ideas, from trading platforms to AI-supported resource sharing. We used prioritization grids to focus on high-impact, feasible solutions.
Journey Map: Current & Future State
We held ideation workshops with key project partners, including Unified We Grow, to brainstorm solutions. The workshops generated a variety of ideas, from trading platforms to AI-supported resource sharing. We used prioritization grids to focus on high-impact, feasible solutions.
Design
Wireframes & Prototypes
We started with low-fidelity sketches, leading to a medium-fidelity prototype. The core user flows were refined during the Wizard of Oz usability testing. High-fidelity screens were later developed in Figma to showcase the refined product.
Key Screeens
Key screens included "Request & Offer Tickets," where users could ask for or offer food, and "Curated Notifications," which helped connect members based on their preferences and levels of trust.
Design Decisions
The emphasis was on minimizing user effort while building trust. Features like curated information (AI-powered) and direct messaging prioritized relevancy, reducing user overwhelm and fostering social connections.
Challenges & Solutions
One key challenge was mistrust among community members, which hindered engagement. We addressed this by adding features like inner circle connections, endorsements from trusted users, and incorporating community leaders as facilitators to foster a sense of safety.
Testing & Iteration
Methods Used: We conducted Wizard of Oz usability testing with five participants of varying age groups before moving to building a high fidelity design.
Findings & Iterations: Usability tests revealed issues around understanding ticket management and notification clarity. We simplified the notification settings and streamlined the “request and offer” flow, resulting in a smoother user experience.
Key High-Fidelity Flows
Onboarding: Learn what the app. can do
Onboarding: Set preferences
Adjust preferences
Make an offer or send request
Manage Tickets
Stay Informed & Manage Notifications
Coordinate Next Steps & Manage Security
Discover Relevant Resources
Conclusion
Design Handoff
The finalized designs were handed off to the development team, and Pamoja Institute is currently managing the testing process with the pilot community.
Future Impact
While we are still awaiting the full impact of the app on the community, this project has been instrumental in my growth as a product designer. It helped me understand the importance of being a facilitator—bridging the gap between technology and community needs—through empathy-driven solutions, and cultural sensitivity. Working closely with community members, I learned the value of listening deeply to understand how a community's culture influences their needs and behaviors.
