It is astonishing to think that every year, a colossal 1.4 billion tons of food meet their demise as waste. Simultaneously, a staggering 820 million people worldwide endure the pangs of hunger. In the state of Colorado alone, 670,000 individuals face food insecurity, with children forming a substantial part of this figure.

Empowering Communities through Food Sharing

Addressing the Global Food Crisis

The disparity between food waste and hunger is truly mind-boggling. Denver-based engineer John Akinboyewa was deeply moved by these statistics and took it upon himself to act. He developed a straightforward solution - the free HungreeApp smartphone app. This innovative app acts as a bridge, connecting those with surplus food to those in need. It simultaneously combats both hunger and food waste on a smaller scale.As Akinboyewa shared with Colorado Matters Host Chandra Thomas Whitfield, "The problem is immense. While large entities and governments often find it challenging to address it effectively, we realized there had to be a way to make a difference at a local level. Our app enables individuals to take meaningful action without the need for extensive coordination."

Simple and User-Friendly

Available for free download on both Android and IOS devices, the HungreeApp is designed with simplicity in mind. It is user-friendly and accessible to anyone - be it an individual, a business, or a food bank. The process is straightforward: users simply select whether they want to give or receive food and provide details such as the type of food, ingredients, its location, and availability. Once this information is entered, the app sends out a beacon to fellow users in a designated area. When a match is made and someone accepts, the pick-up is coordinated, and the transaction is completed.Akinboyewa explains, "We aimed to create something that is easy to use. In just 60 seconds, you can list the food you want to share - whether it's leftovers from a meeting, extra sandwiches from a lunch event, or even bulk food like crates of croissants from a grocery store."

Personal Inspiration and Impact

The concept behind the HungreeApp originated from Akinboyewa's own life experiences growing up in challenging circumstances in his native Nigeria. There, basic necessities like electricity and clean water were often scarce. Even after moving to the U.S. and achieving success as a student leader on his college campus, he still faced food insecurity. He vividly recalls a particular night when he had to search through couch cushions to scrape together $1.08 to buy an item from the value menu at a fast food restaurant. "I thought, there has to be a better way to connect people who need food with those who have it," he says.This personal inspiration led to the creation of the Hungree app, which he believes not only helps alleviate food insecurity but also ensures that food is not wasted. He wanted to offer a simple solution to a longstanding problem - the fact that excess food is often discarded simply because there was no convenient way to share it.

Meeting Specific Needs

The app allows users to include dietary restrictions and food allergies, ensuring that people with specific needs can find safe and accessible food. Users also have the option to set a geographic radius. For instance, someone without transportation can set parameters to find or provide food within walking distance.Akinboyewa emphasizes, "We want to make it easy for anyone, anywhere, to use. If you have extra food, you can list it with just a few clicks, and it can be picked up quickly by someone nearby."

Localized Food Sharing with "Village Mode"

In addition to connecting people, the app features "village mode," which enables organizations like universities or businesses to restrict food listings to specific areas such as a college campus or office building. This creates a localized network of food sharing within a community, allowing food to be distributed more efficiently before it goes to waste.Akinboyewa hopes that as the app continues to grow, it will reach a wider audience and become a global phenomenon. He envisions a world where sharing food is second nature, no one goes to bed hungry, and nothing that can be used ends up in the trash.As the holiday season approaches, Akinboyewa encourages everyone to download the app and get involved. "We all have the power to make a difference, one meal at a time. Together, we can reduce food waste, feed our neighbors, and build a stronger, more sustainable community."To learn more about Hungree or to sign up as a user, visit thehungreeapp.com