Indy Civic Hackathon

The Indy Chamber, Techpoint, Open Indy Brigade, local and state governments and the business community gather each year to host a hackathon that addresses public need and transparency. This year is no different. Coders, developers and designers will address a challenge far too common in the Indianapolis region: food insecurity.

The USDA defines food insecurity as a “household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food.” According to numerous reports, roughly 175,000 food-insecure people live in Marion County alone. The term “food deserts” has become a common phrase. Access to balanced food options has a lasting impact on public health, public safety, economic growth and more.

This is where we come in. Technology can serve as a means to effectively plan and distribute services and resources across our region. Developing outside-the-box solutions through data analysis and tech platforms can change this conversation. Where can the public go to get information on nutrition assistance? How can the SNAP or EBT systems be streamlined? What does public data tell us about the connection of food insecurity and other challenges facing our community? We’ll explore these questions and more.

Are you up to the challenge?