During a virtual panel on digital and physical food security organized by Food Tank and the Refresh Working Group, experts discussed how technology can equitably improve food security.

Moderated by Food Tank President Danielle Nierenberg, and journalist Chloe Sorvino of Forbes, the event is part of a weeklong series about the intersection of food and technology. Panelists include: Tatiana Garcia, Co-Founder and COO of The Common Market; Chris Roper, Owner of Chris Roper Services and Consultant to the Osage Nation; Karen Washington, community activist and Co-owner of Rise & Root Farm; and Amy Wu Founder & Chief Content Director of From Farms to Incubators.

More than 50 million people in the United States faced hunger in 2020, up from 35 million people pre-pandemic, according to Feeding America.

While COVID-19 has exacerbated food security, Washington says that it has also helped to bring issues of equity and access in the food system to light.

But as people begin to address these problems, Washington warns, “we cannot go back. Now is the time to roll up our sleeves to make sure that food and water are available to all because they’re both human rights.”

In some cases, panelists are already seeing ways that technology is successfully supporting food security in communities around the country.

Read the full article about equitable technology for food security by Elena Seeley at Food Tank.