Hungree: Revolutionizing Food Sharing and Reducing Waste

John Akinboyewa, a 39-year-old Denver resident, has turned his personal college experience into a mission to tackle food insecurity and waste. Inspired by his struggles to afford meals during his engineering studies, Akinboyewa has developed a groundbreaking app called Hungree, which aims to connect those with surplus food to those in need.

Bridging the Gap: Hungree's Innovative Approach to Food Distribution

Connecting Providers and Users

Hungree follows a simple yet effective premise: users in a specific geographic area can post food items they want to get rid of, and others can request and pick up those items. This system allows for both small-scale and large-scale food distribution, catering to the needs of individuals, restaurants, food banks, and other providers. The app's "village" feature enables users to share within their own communities, such as religious organizations or homeowners associations, ensuring a targeted and efficient distribution network.

Protecting Privacy and Streamlining Pickups

Akinboyewa has designed Hungree with user privacy in mind, allowing for both public and private sharing of food items. The app also tracks food donations and prevents long lines at pickup locations, ensuring a seamless experience for both providers and users. These features are crucial in creating a user-friendly platform that encourages participation and maximizes the impact of the app.

Expanding Reach and Partnerships

Hungree's initial beta phase granted access to 500 users across six cities in four countries, including the U.S., Nigeria, Colombia, and the United Kingdom. Now, the app is poised for significant growth, with plans to partner with universities, communities, and businesses to onboard tens of thousands of users. Akinboyewa's vision is to have half a billion people using Hungree within the next five to seven years, a testament to his ambitious goals and the app's potential to make a global impact.

Overcoming Challenges in the Tech Industry

As a Black entrepreneur in the tech industry, Akinboyewa acknowledges the challenges he has faced in securing funding and connecting with the right communities. However, he remains determined to push forward, recognizing the importance of institutional and organizational support to take Hungree to the next level. The app's recent nonprofit status approval and plans for a for-profit technology branch demonstrate Akinboyewa's strategic approach to ensuring the long-term sustainability and growth of Hungree.

Multilingual Expansion and Global Reach

In the coming weeks, Hungree will undergo a major update, introducing multilingual support beyond English. The app will now be available in Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian, and Turkish, expanding its reach and accessibility to a diverse global audience. This move aligns with Akinboyewa's vision of making Hungree a truly international platform, capable of addressing food insecurity and waste on a global scale.

Real-Time Impact: Hungree in Action

Akinboyewa has already witnessed the immediate impact of Hungree in action. A local steakhouse manager listed leftover meals on the app, and another user picked them up to distribute to people experiencing homelessness. These tangible examples showcase the app's ability to bridge the gap between surplus food and those in need, demonstrating the power of Akinboyewa's innovative solution.Hungree's journey is a testament to the power of turning personal experiences into impactful solutions. By leveraging technology and fostering a community-driven approach, Akinboyewa and his team are revolutionizing the way we address food insecurity and waste, one user at a time. As Hungree continues to expand and gain institutional support, the potential to create a more equitable and sustainable food system becomes increasingly within reach.