Data-Driven Food Justice in Action.
See how the YAMS App and Admin Portal, powered by the National Black Food & Justice Alliance, are reshaping food access by tracking retail food purchases. This case study breaks down how technology is amplifying Black-led narratives, helping co-ops, farmers’ markets, and grocery stores, and driving a more equitable food system.
Y.A.M.S.
The Y.A.M.S. (Yielding Access to Market Solutions) App, created with the National Black Food & Justice Alliance, helps individuals track their food purchases while contributing to a larger effort to reshape food access. By collecting this data, Y.A.M.S. amplifies Black-led narratives, strengthens food sovereignty, and fosters collaboration for a more equitable food system.
To expand this impact, we built the Y.A.M.S. Admin Portal, a data-driven platform that helps cooperatives, farmers’ markets, and grocery stores turn raw insights into action. By analyzing food purchasing trends, organizations can refine their strategies, improve market access, and support community-driven solutions. Instead of relying on guesswork, they can make informed decisions that drive lasting change. Together, Y.A.M.S. and the Admin Portal provide the tools needed to advance food justice and create a more sustainable, equitable food system.
Identifying the Challenge
Addressing Food Insecurity and Inequality
The National Black Food Justice Alliance saw a critical need to tackle food insecurity and inequality in Black communities. Traditional food systems often fail to account for the unique barriers these communities face, creating gaps in access to healthy, affordable food.
The challenge is clear: How do we capture this data effectively?.
Lack of visibility
There’s limited data on how Black communities engage with food markets.
Scattered information
Existing data is fragmented, making it hard to identify patterns.
Limited resources
There’s limited data on how Black communities engage with food markets.
Systemic barriers
Inequities in food distribution and market access make data collection even more challenging.
Understanding these challenges is the first step. With the right tools, we can close these gaps and build a more equitable food system.
Solution
The National Black Food Justice Alliance is tackling a major issue: food insecurity and inequality that continue to impact Black communities. Traditional food systems don’t account for the unique challenges these communities face, making it harder to access healthy, affordable food.
To address this, we’re developing a mobile app for iOS and Android that allows users to capture and upload photos of their food retail receipts. With advanced data extraction technology, the app will pull key details like the merchant name and location. Alongside this, an admin portal will organize and analyze the data, providing valuable insights that support better decision-making and drive policy advocacy.
Technology
React Native (Cross Platform IOS & Android.
MongoDB
Taggun AI Receipt
ChatGPT API
Redis
Cloudinary
Explore Our Dynamic Screen Displays
Showcase of Y.A.M.S. mobile Interfaces
Admin Portal Overview
Our Admin Portal is built to collect and analyze data from co-ops, farmers’ markets, and grocery stores. It’s a key tool for driving food equity, providing real insights that help organizations make smarter decisions. This case study shows how our platform supports equitable food access initiatives, empowers businesses to refine their strategies, and contributes to a more just, sustainable food system.
Technology
NextJS
React
MongoDB
Render Hosting Platform
Cloudinary
Showcase of Interfaces
What Our Client Says
The app has transformed how we connect with our community. It’s intuitive and incredibly useful for staying informed about local initiatives.
Lets Work Together!
Looking for a skilled developer to bring your mobile or web application to life? Whether you need a seamless user experience, scalable backend solutions, or a data-driven platform, let’s collaborate to build innovative digital products that make an impact.