The Smart Food Program, a first in the nation project, will save food waste and reach families in need by using an AI-driven app to match surplus food to SNAP demands 

 

WILMINGTON, Del. — Delaware will be the first state to pilot an innovative app to help those hardest hit by economic challenges stretch SNAP dollars further and feed their families.  

 

Known broadly as the Smart Food Program, this bold public-private partnership was born out of the White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities with the leadership of Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, state agriculture and health and social services agencies, federal officials, and r4 Technologies, a new AI company created by the founders of Priceline.  

 

Delaware is the first to launch in the U.S. using $1.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. Surrounded by local stakeholders, state leaders and r4 Technologies were joined by the White House and federal experts to announce the program on Wednesday at ShopRite of Christina Crossing in Wilmington. The goal is to see the First State’s program scale nationwide with the 50th state Hawaii pursuing an iteration of the initiative next. 

 

“Every person deserves access to healthy, nutritious food. It’s not only beneficial for families, ensuring food equity is beneficial to the economy and our environment,” said Lt. Governor Hall-Long. “More than 30 percent of food at retail and producer levels is thrown away. Through the Smart Food Program, we can significantly lower food waste while connecting individuals in need with healthy food at the grocery store to ensure this food goes to someone’s pantry and not the landfill. It’s my hope we can expand this access further from farmer’s markets and beyond. Delaware will be the first to launch this innovative program, but we look forward to seeing this initiative go transcontinental. I want to thank r4 Technologies for turning big ideas into solutions that will directly impact our families, economy, and environment.”  

 

A key component to this program is the SNAP Smart ShopperTM  app. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients can download this app to have access to digital coupons for specific SNAP-approved foods. The goal is to provide information to help SNAP benefit dollars go forward through shopping recommendations and educational resources. 

 

“Thank you to each and every one of you for your commitment and your partnership to end hunger and ensure that everyone has access to healthy, nutritious food. It is truly inspiring to see the whole of society approach that the President has envisioned and called for to address these issues, seeing them playing out right here in his home state of Delaware,” said Steve Benjamin, White House Senior Advisor to the President and Director of Public Engagement.   

 

Says Paul Breitenbach, Founder and CEO of r4 Technologies, “The r4 team is incredibly excited to see our vision of using AI technology to reduce food insecurity and food waste be introduced today as a live program starting in Delaware. This is an important opportunity for government to apply proven commercial technology to solve two huge problems where everyone wins. We look forward to working with the amazing team in Delaware together with retailers, producers, and state and federal leaders across the country to scale this game changing capability.” 

 

Similar to the Priceline airline industry model, retailers and producers will make SNAP-approved items available at discounts in the specific stores where surplus inventories and unfilled SNAP demand are predicted. Another important element is the integration of educational content to support healthy choices from meal planning to buying food. The app, which will be ready for download by the end of the year, uses AI to tailor shopping habits and will be game-changing to address food waste at the retail and producer levels. 

 

“When we can help our most vulnerable buy locally grown products, they get the most nutritious, freshest food Delaware has to offer, and we help keep small farms productive, boosting and growing the local economy. That’s why this program is such a win-win and a great example of how thinking outside the box and public-private partnerships can benefit Delaware’s citizens and beyond,” said Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse.   

 

“We are committed to increasing access to healthy foods for SNAP households by helping to make more families food and nutrition secure – making sure that all Americans can access food that supports their health and overall well-being. We are delighted to support our colleagues in Delaware  as they embark on this innovative project,” said Dr. Patty Bennett, Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator, USDA Food and Nutrition Service. 

 

The Smart Food Program addresses food insecurity among a population disproportionately impacted by the COVID pandemic and hardest hit by economic challenges. About 1 in 7 Delaware kids face food insecurity, which is about 35,000 children statewide. According to 2022 USDA data, 13% of Delawareans – or upwards of 120,000 residents – receive SNAP benefits. Delaware’s Division of Social Services will be implementing the program in conjunction with r4 Technologies. 

 

“Delaware is leading the charge in a national first for SNAP recipients to have their money go a little further,” said Daniel Walker, Delaware Department of Health and Social Services Deputy Secretary. “The Smart Food Program will deliver hope to Delaware SNAP households.” 

 

There is a $250 billion dollar food waste problem, with one-third of all food produced globally going to waste. This program is a significant way to address retailer and producer efficiency at the grocery store and avoid healthy foods ending up in landfills. 

 

“I think it is super exciting to be part of something innovative and progressive that will help serve the most vulnerable in our community but also on a macro level reduce food waste, which is tremendous worldwide but also in our local Delaware community,” said Melissa Kenny, Executive Vice President of the Kenny Family ShopRites. 

 

“When government collaborates with innovators like those from r4 Technologies, we can come together to solve some of our greatest societal challenges, like food insecurity. It’s very fitting that the Smart Food Program was announced in the Second Senatorial District today,” said Senator Darius Brown. “This is the place where opportunity lives, and I was glad to welcome our partners from the White House, the State of Delaware, and our local business community for this exciting announcement.” 

 

Here’s What People Are Saying About The Smart Food Program 

 

“As we face the dual challenges of food waste and food insecurity in Hawai‘i and around the U.S., the Smart Food Program is a beacon of innovation and collaboration. This project exemplifies the power of public-private partnerships, leveraging AI technology to match surplus food with SNAP demands,” said Governor Josh Green, M.D. “I commend Lt. Governor Hall-Long and the entire team for their forward-thinking approach, and I’m thrilled to see Hawai‘i participate in the next iteration of this initiative. Together, we can make a significant impact on our communities, ensuring that every person has access to healthy, affordable food.”

 

“Good nutrition is so important for chronic disease prevention, but many families lack the access to healthy and fresh foods. I’m excited for the families of Delaware who utilize SNAP benefits. They will now have access to healthier food thanks to the Smart Food Program and at a lower price. I also really appreciate r4 Technologies for recognizing the importance of nutrition education and partnering with us at the University of Florida to develop nutrition recommendations for this program.  This new app will help teach families how to make better food choices and stretch their food dollars at their favorite grocery store,” said Dr. Karla Shelnutt, Principal Investigator of the UF/IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program (University of Florida’s SNAP-Education Program) and a leader in SNAP-Education nationally.   

 

“Today’s announcement shows how the American Rescue Plan Act continues to deliver for Delaware,” said U.S. Senator Tom Carper, who along with Delaware’s congressional delegation voted for the passage of ARPA. “Through public-private partnerships, we are able to leverage funding to help ensure no Delawarean is in need and no resources are wasted. That’s what I call a win-win!” 

 

“We must work together to lift up those around us in their most vulnerable moments, especially when it comes to tackling food insecurity,” said U.S. Senator Chris Coons. “This federal funding will build a better foundation for tackling hunger in communities up and down Delaware, and it’s encouraging to see so many helpful parties from the White House on down coming together to support and inspire local initiatives.” 

 

“It is critical that every child in Delaware has access to safe and healthy food,” said U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, member of the Health Subcommittee in the U.S. House of Representatives. “This initiative, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act that I championed in Congress, is an important step in the right direction. As the founder and co-chair of the Future of Work Caucus in Congress, I am excited by this partnership and the leveraging of cutting-edge technology to help address food insecurity and food waste in the First State.”