FoodFinder: Connecting People to Food Resources
FoodFinder is a platform that helps individuals to find local food pantries and meal providers. The platform aims to serve the national population in providing accurate and relevant information on food services via a centralized outlet. In exploring FoodFinders’ analytics it was found that the website was missing an opportunity to serve a larger audience. Based on these initial findings, the team set out to
conduct user-research using a contextual inquiry framework and develop recommendations to improve the site.
Due to the marginalized status of the population FoodFinder aims to serve, recruiting individuals to interview who were users of FoodFinder proved difficult. Our team decided to focus interviews on social service providers who often recommend local food pantries and food services to their clients; social workers, non-profit representatives, and volunteers were interviewed to determine how FoodFinder could better serve the needs of these individuals and the institutions. To supplement the interviews scenarios were developed and used to gain user experience feedback regarding the FoodFinder website. The team also conducted a competitive analysis of other competing websites that provide a similar service to allow FoodFinder to contextualize and prioritize different aspects of its site development.
Our team recommendations included:
1. Prioritize FoodFinder's Database Accuracy & Completeness: The robust database you have built sets you apart and is what makes FoodFinder useful and relevant.
2. We believe service and food resource providers are the site's primary users.
Currently, food-seeking individuals are seen as the primary audience of the site, but we have found that the major players in food finding are service providers who refer clients and food pantries themselves.
3. Encourage and empower providers to update their service's information on the site.
4. Compete with the Convenience of Google Maps by
- Offering Better Info and User-Specific Services
- Allow for users to leave reviews for services and sites
- Update Search Terms and Create Categorical Service Filtering
- Leverage your database with a Volunteer Recruiting & Placement Service
Feedback:
FoodFinders' reception to our work was exceptionally positive. Our manager noted: " This is the best student work we’ve ever received. The quality of the discovery work and findings you all laid out is incredible and has already informed our product roadmap going forward."
conduct user-research using a contextual inquiry framework and develop recommendations to improve the site.
Due to the marginalized status of the population FoodFinder aims to serve, recruiting individuals to interview who were users of FoodFinder proved difficult. Our team decided to focus interviews on social service providers who often recommend local food pantries and food services to their clients; social workers, non-profit representatives, and volunteers were interviewed to determine how FoodFinder could better serve the needs of these individuals and the institutions. To supplement the interviews scenarios were developed and used to gain user experience feedback regarding the FoodFinder website. The team also conducted a competitive analysis of other competing websites that provide a similar service to allow FoodFinder to contextualize and prioritize different aspects of its site development.
Our team recommendations included:
1. Prioritize FoodFinder's Database Accuracy & Completeness: The robust database you have built sets you apart and is what makes FoodFinder useful and relevant.
2. We believe service and food resource providers are the site's primary users.
Currently, food-seeking individuals are seen as the primary audience of the site, but we have found that the major players in food finding are service providers who refer clients and food pantries themselves.
3. Encourage and empower providers to update their service's information on the site.
4. Compete with the Convenience of Google Maps by
- Offering Better Info and User-Specific Services
- Allow for users to leave reviews for services and sites
- Update Search Terms and Create Categorical Service Filtering
- Leverage your database with a Volunteer Recruiting & Placement Service
Feedback:
FoodFinders' reception to our work was exceptionally positive. Our manager noted: " This is the best student work we’ve ever received. The quality of the discovery work and findings you all laid out is incredible and has already informed our product roadmap going forward."
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