Inreach
Understanding the Root Causes, Daily Challenges, and Solutions for Food Insecurity.
Problem Statement——————
How might we better understand the needs and pain points of individuals facing food insecurity in order to develop effective solutions that address this widespread issue?
My Role: UX Researcher
Timeline: 4+ Weeks
Tools: Miro, Figma, Zoom,
Research Objectives——————
Uncover the root causes that contribute to food insecurity among individuals.
Gain a deep understanding of the challenges that individuals face as they navigate food insecurity on a daily basis.
Investigate the daily habits of those who suffer from food insecurity in order to identify potential solutions that could alleviate their struggles.
Identify potential solutions that could alleviate their struggles.
Methods————————————
Hypothesized Behavioral Archetype- to better understand the needs and challenges of individuals facing food insecurity. This helped us define the user's behaviors and served as the foundation for shaping our research plan
User Interviews- provided in-depth, personal accounts of the challenges faced, allowing us to understand their experiences on a deeper level and directly inform product design decisions. The questions explored participants' attitudes, habits, and technological competency.
Surveys- allowed us to efficiently collect broad, diverse data from many participants, helping us accurately assess user needs, pain points, and behaviors while respecting their time and privacy.
Competitive Analysis- helped us understand the landscape, identify gaps, and find opportunities for innovation to better meet user needs. Direct and indirect competitors included USA.gov, SNAP, the Ron Finley Project, and The Food Project.
Research Findings———————
Barriers to Accessing Resources
Many users do not actively search for assistance, even during setbacks, highlighting the need for more accessible and widely-promoted programs.
Key Contributing Factors
Inflation and debt were identified as the biggest underlying issues driving food insecurity.
Systemic challenges need to be addressed to provide long-term support for individuals facing food insecurity.
Design Preferences
Users prefer simple, easily navigable applications to save time and access information efficiently.
Privacy Concerns
Many users prefer to stay anonymous due to feelings of embarrassment or shame associated with food insecurity.
Information Needs
Users benefit from clear, comprehensive, and up-to-date details about food organizations, including operational information and options that cater to dietary restrictions.
Surprising Finding——————
We discovered that several participants were single college graduates with full-time jobs, yet they still struggled with food insecurity. This unexpected finding challenges assumptions and emphasizes the need to design future solutions that are inclusive and accessible to individuals from all backgrounds.
Retrospective————————
What Went Well
User Interviews: These were the most insightful part of our research, helping us understand the complex factors behind food insecurity and shaping our design decisions.
Challenging Assumptions: The interviews revealed that our initial behavioral archetype didn’t match the real experiences of users, underscoring the importance of staying open-minded in research.
What Could Be Improved
Larger Sample Size: A wider range of participants in the user interviews would have provided more diverse perspectives.
Broader Survey Reach: Distributing surveys across different regions could have uncovered regional differences and offered a clearer picture of nationwide needs.
Key Takeaways for Future Research
Always question assumptions when developing user archetypes to ensure they reflect real experiences.
Use diverse research methods to capture a broader and more representative view of user challenges.
