As we countdown to our final presentation less than a month away, our design solution has taken shape over the past few weeks. We’ve been busy working on a comprehensive whitepaper, a video, concept posters, and even a prototype to bring our vision to life. It’s been quite the evolution – from contemplating the implementation of Hylight technology to rethinking the entire concept of vertical farms. Now, we’re proud to introduce our fully-fledged system: Food for Thought.

Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of our finalized design solution and how we plan to make it a reality.

First off, we’ve refined our HMW statement to tackle the heart of the issue: How might we improve NYC residents’ relationship with ultra-processed food by educating them about positive dietary choices while simultaneously providing access to fresh and affordable options by providing a supportive environment for vertical farms to thrive through government incentives and support?

Our solution statement revolves around researching and designing a toolkit in the form of an experience center that focuses on improving NYC residents’ relationship with food through education, while also increasing the availability of fresh food at affordable prices. We also aim to enable a robust network of existing vertical farms in NYC by providing funds, subsidies, and tax benefits under the NYC government, making them key players in bringing fresh food to the masses. 

Explore the integrated ecosystem of our project through this diagram, which showcases the collaboration between HYLIGHT technology, the FRESH initiative, and vertical farms. Discover how these elements work together to increase crop yield, provide affordable food, and support sustainable food systems.

Here’s the game plan: we’ll start small with pop-up experience centers across the city to gauge community interest and measure impact. These will serve as a precursor to our main experience center, which will feature educational workshops and immersive activities to transform people’s relationship with food. Plus, it’ll double as a research hub for ongoing R&D into crop quality and new agricultural technologies.

But that’s not all! We’re teaming up with existing vertical farms and the FRESH (Food Retail Expansion to Support Health) initiative to distribute fresh produce to underserved communities, benefiting SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) users. FRESH is a vital program that brings healthy and affordable food options to communities by lowering supermarket costs, while SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) helps low-income individuals access nutritious food.

To supercharge crop production, we’re implementing ATTRACT’s Hylight technology in NYC’s vertical farms. This tech will monitor crop health, reduce waste, and boost efficiency – a win-win for farmers and consumers alike.

An idea of what our physical HYLIGHT scanner will look like.
Source: Planteye Technology

Food for Thought isn’t just about awareness; it’s about changing behaviors and empowering healthier choices. By 2040, we aim to fully implement our system, then expand across the tri-state area, promoting a healthier relationship with food on a broader scale.

“Food for Thought isn’t just a concept; it’s a movement towards healthier communities, empowered choices, and a sustainable future. Join us as we cultivate change, one seed of innovation at a time.”

Stay tuned for our final blog as we bring Food for Thought to life, one bite at a time! ✨🌱