UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Developed by the Food Decisions Research Laboratory in the Penn State School of Hospitality Management, the Free Food Map identifies locations throughout Centre County and across Pennsylvania that offer free food to those in need. The Free Food Map is now available to the Penn State community on the Penn State Go app.
Users can find the Free Food Map on the Penn State Go app by first selecting the “University Park” app experience, then “Wellness” and finally “Free Food Sources.”
“The purpose of this initiative is to increase access to information that can lessen food insecurity, food inaccessibility and stigmas surrounding hunger,” said Amit Sharma, professor of hospitality management and director of the Food Decisions Research Laboratory. “This involves students conducting research into community organizations that provide free food and finding optimal approaches to present this information to those in need.”
With the Free Food Map, users can find free food distribution sites in their area. After selecting a location, users can discover the site’s name or affiliate organization, address, distribution hours, food distribution eligibility requirements and contact information.
“Our group has been working on the map since 2022, including an international collaboration with a team of students in France,” Sharma said. “Students are continuously expanding the map to cover additional parts of Pennsylvania and developing outreach strategies to more widely share this information across the state. We are also working to eventually expand this initiative to include neighboring states.”
The Food Decisions Research Laboratory is committed to conducting empirical research in behavioral economic analysis and evaluating the costs and benefits of decisions associated with food away from home and food service environments.
The lab creates controlled experiments involving decisions and modifying “real environments” where choices are made. Experiments are focused on individuals, whether they are consumers or food service supply chain employees. Undergraduate and graduate students support the lab’s research efforts.
The Free Food Map is an ongoing project developed in partnership with the YMCA of Centre County. Feedback and comments can be emailed to Kimberly Impellitteri, research and teaching labs coordinator in the Penn State School of Hospitality Management.
