Project Grant 20236900640213

** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** ALABAMA IS A HIGH POVERTY STATE WITH SIGNIFICANT PORTIONS, THE BLACK BELT COUNTIES, AFFECTED BY THE LACK OF AVAILABLE, AFFORDABLE, AND NUTRITIOUS FOOD. THIS PROJECT ADDRESSES THE ISSUE OF FOOD AND NUTRITION SECURITY AMONG DISADVANTAGED AND MINORITY HOUSEHOLDS AND COMMUNITIES THAT ARE IMPACTED BY DISASTERS SUCH AS EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS (HURRICANES, TORNADOES, AND FLOODS) AND ALSO HIGHLIGHTED BY THE ONGOING PANDEMIC. THE LONG-TERM GOAL IS TO APPLY MACHINE LEARNING AND DIGITAL TECHNIQUES TO TRANSFORM ALABAMA EMERGENCY FOOD DISTRIBUTION CENTERS STRATEGICALLY, MANAGERIALLY, TECHNOLOGICALLY, AND SOCIALLY TO POSITION THEM AS SUSTAINABLE FOOD DISTRIBUTION AND COLLECTION SYSTEMS CAPABLE OF PROVIDING SUFFICIENT AND NUTRITIOUS FOODS TO PEOPLE IN NEED. OUR TEAM WILL ENGAGE IN RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES TO:1) DEVELOP DIGITAL AND MACHINE LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES TO UNDERSTAND FOOD DEMAND AT ALABAMA EMERGENCY FOOD DISTRIBUTION CENTERS TOWARD A CONSUMER-CENTRIC ENVIRONMENT, 2) DEVELOP DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES TO DETECT FOOD SUPPLY AT ALABAMA EMERGENCY FOOD DISTRIBUTION CENTERS TOWARD A HIGHER OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY ENVIRONMENT, 3) INCREASE THE ALABAMA EMERGENCY FOOD DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM'S CAPACITY FOR PROVIDING HEALTHY FOOD TO THE FOOD-INSECURE, 4) STRENGTHEN THE AI/MACHINE LEARNING EDUCATION AT TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY BY INTEGRATING EDUCATION WITH RESEARCH AND EXTENSION. THE PROPOSED PROJECT WILL ENHANCE EFFECTIVE FOOD PANTRY-BASED EXTENSION PROGRAMS THAT STRESS AND REINFORCE HUMAN CAPACITY BUILDING. OUR PROJECT HAS AN ADVISORY BOARD REPRESENTING EMERGENCY FOOD DISTRIBUTORS, PROFESSIONALS, AND BLACK FARMERS AND HAS A PROJECT EVALUATOR. THE OUTCOME OF OUR EFFORTS WILL BE AN EFFICIENT AND CONSUMER-CENTRIC FOOD DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM THAT ENABLES THE FOOD-INSECURITY COMMUNITY LIKELIER TO ACCRUE NUTRITIOUS FOOD.