UNM Food, in collaboration with UNM Information Technologies (IT) and Honors College, has launched the LoboEats App, an innovative platform designed to address food waste and food insecurity on The University of New Mexico's main campus. Developed by UNM IT in partnership with alumnus Biraj Silwal and Honors College Associate Professor Sarita Cargas, the app aims to create a platform for sharing surplus food and reducing the stigma around food insecurity.
The idea for the LoboEats App originated from Biraj Silwal, who won first place in the 2022 UNM & CNM App Contest with his vision. Recognizing the potential of Silwal's idea, UNM IT joined forces with him to transform it into a reality. This partnership exemplifies the collaboration between students and institutional support, allowing surplus food from all areas of the campus to be shared instead of being wasted.
Associate Professor Sarita Cargas, who leads research on food insecurity for the Basic Needs Project, played a crucial role in advising Silwal and his team during the app contest. Cargas expresses her excitement about the project, stating, "What I love about the project is the goodwill it brought. Everybody who worked on it seemed enthusiastic and wanted to contribute, and that has been the most exciting thing about the Basic Needs Project."
Since its release, the LoboEats App has received positive reviews and numerous requests for expanding its functionality. UNM IT Project Manager Rebecca Brown mentions plans to enhance the app's design, including real-time notifications for users when a food item becomes unavailable or after 20 minutes of availability. Additionally, the main feed will feature an auto-refresh function. Administrative users will also benefit from enhancements, such as automated export of user engagement and data.
The team behind the LoboEats App has ambitious plans to extend its impact beyond the central campus. Their goal is to make the app a cornerstone of support and community engagement, encompassing all UNM campuses and potentially expanding statewide to other universities. The app is open to faculty, staff, and students, ensuring that anyone can benefit from its features.
Cargas emphasizes the importance of everyone's participation, regardless of food insecurity status. She states, "We need everybody to participate, whether they're food insecure or not… we all need to eat. Everyone forgets their lunch or needs a snack. There's no one that it can't benefit."
To participate in the LoboEats initiative, central campus faculty, staff, and students can download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play and sign in with their UNM credentials. Users will receive notifications when food is available or can browse active posts on the app. Event organizers can also request to become approved post creators to share food events.
The release of the LoboEats App comes as a response to the alarming rates of food insecurity among students, faculty, and staff. In a survey conducted by the Basic Needs Project in 2023, it was found that 67 percent of respondents experienced some form of basic needs insecurity. Black and Indigenous students were found to have higher rates of food insecurity. Additionally, nearly 60 percent of New Mexico students recently faced food or housing insecurity.
The LoboEats App is now available for download, offering a solution to combat food waste and insecurity while fostering a more sustainable and connected campus community. Join the initiative and contribute to a brighter future for all members of the UNM community.
