Project Overview

This toolkit contains guidance on how to work with communities to improve their experience at food pantries. These design tools were adapted through a collaborative design (co-design) process at the Harvest on Vine Food Pantry in Boston. Co-design is a participatory approach to designing solutions. All stakeholders are treated as equal collaborators: it’s about designing with, not for. The aim of the work is not only to understand preferences, strengths, and needs of pantry visitors and engage them in the design of better experiences. It also creates a community space that supports dignity and connection and reduces the stigma that can be associated with accessing the charitable food system.

These tools can be used for an array of pantry situations, when community feedback would be helpful such as:

-How to restructure intake lines

-Setting convenient hours

-How to utilize space for community services

-Increasing access to culturally appropriate food

-Communicating new policies, procedures, and prototypes

-Exploring different models for food distribution

-General relationship and trust building with community

In short there’s so much to be learned from your staff, clients, volunteers, community members, and other folks who are affiliated with your food pantry.