UT Student Develops Innovative Map to Help Fight Food Insecurity with Affordable Local Resources

A University student has created a digital map called ATX Food Hub to help tackle food insecurity in the community. Launched on March 29, the map highlights grocery stores, convenience shops, community kitchens, and gardens that offer free meals and fresh produce. It also points out University resources like the UT Outpost, which manages food pantries on campus.

Siva Epuri, a public health freshman, came up with the map idea for a class project. During discussions with local organizations, she realized many people were unaware of the food options available to them.

"Information about food resources is all over the place online," Epuri explains. "It takes too much time to figure out how to make the best use of those resources. We wanted to create a centralized hub to simplify that."

The need for such a resource is clear. According to the Central Texas Food Bank, one in six Central Texas residents faced food insecurity last year. Tracy Ayrhart, a VP at the Food Bank, notes that high grocery prices and inaccessible stores are significant factors.

“Some individuals experience ongoing food insecurity, while others face temporary setbacks, like losing a job right after graduation,” she shares.

Transportation is another hurdle. Dat Duong, co-director of the West Campus Collective, says that students without personal vehicles struggle to reach nearby grocery stores. “If you don’t have a car, getting to H-E-B can be a challenge,” he adds.

To help with this, the map includes details about the shuttle service provided by UT’s Parking and Transportation Services, which offers rides to local grocery stores.

Epuri welcomes contributions to the map. Anyone can suggest additions through a simple form, and all suggestions are verified before being included.

“I want everyone, whether they are food insecure or not, to know about this map,” she states. “While we can’t completely eliminate food insecurity, we can help by making resources easier to find.”

Epuri’s efforts highlight a growing awareness of food access issues, especially among students and urban dwellers. This initiative serves as a crucial step toward a more sustainable and informed community, where no one has to struggle to find food resources.

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