Ideas
Explore the world's #1 largest database of ideas and innovations, with 478,197 inspiring examples.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,287 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 107,665 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Consumer Insights
Uncover major shifts and emerging opportunities with our exclusive PRO research.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,287 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 107,665 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Trend Reports
Get fast, customized trend reports, presentations and deep dives 20x faster than traditional research.
Plans
Get started today with a free consultation, our self-serve tools, or a dedicated program.
Articles & Magazine
Get inspired with our 4,232 innovation strategy articles, keynote, videos and innovation tools.
Innovation Awards
Trend Hunter’s Innovation Strategy Awards recognize the best innovation tactics gathered from our interviews with some of the world's most notable business leaders, authors and change makers.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Innovation Assessment
Enhance your innovation potential with a deeper understanding of your unique innovation archetype and how your organization benchmarks.
FuturistU
Prepare for the years ahead with 100+ lessons, tactics, tools and frameworks with our full learning database.
Innovation Books
Join 20,000,000 people getting better and faster with our New York Times Bestselling books and keynote videos.
Jeremy Gutsche
Ignite your event or virtual event with our CEO, a NY Times Bestselling Author and one of the top innovation keynote speakers.
Our Team of Speakers & Virtual Presenters
Inspire your group with our most popular speakers on innovation, trends, change and futurism.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Custom Masterclasses
Join the world's leading brands who leverage our custom programs to accelerate innovation.
FuturistU 5-Day Program
Become a Futurist with our immersive 5-Day program at Future Festival World Summit.
Online eLearning
Learn the fundamentals of futurism and trends with 100+ online courses about innovation.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Contact
Get in touch to learn more, ask a question or submit a tip.
About Us
Learn more about Trend Hunter and how we accelerate innovation.
Follow-Us
Join our 3,500,000 social media followers, on the cutting edge.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
FAQ
Get answers to common questions about Trend Hunter.
Community
Stay on the cutting-edge with the help of the Trend Hunter community.
Team
Meet the team trusted by hundreds of leading businesses worldwide.
Jobs
Find opportunities to accelerate your career with the #1 Trend Firm.
News
Catch up on noteworthy Trend Hunter news and media mentions.
Join
Build a portfolio and put your trend-spotting abilities to the test.
Advertising
Supercharge your marketing by partnering with Trend Hunter.
Portfolio
Visit your public portfolio and browse your past articles.
Add a Trend
Write up an article and showcase your trend-spotting skills.
My Trends
Edit your articles and see how they stack up on the leaderboards.
Settings
Edit your profile, connect your social media accounts, and more.
Add a trend, customize your dashboard, or track topics.
Future Festival
Innovation Events
Join the world's top innovators at our in person events.
Free Webinars
Learn to innovate through chaos, navigate the new normal and maintain work culture from home.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Search our database of 478,197 cutting edge ideas.

Poverty-Alleviating Vending Machines

Clean the Sky - Positive Eco Trends & Breakthroughs

The Automatic Food Dispenser Initiative Serves Poor Areas

— March 27, 2015 — Social Good
In an effort to provide food staples and some economic fairness, the Algramo project is installing automatic food dispenser machines in Latin America. The food vending machines specifically serve impoverished communities affected by small format punishment -- when a neighborhood can't afford a big grocery store with discounted prices due to its smaller size and lack of market importance. The shops in these areas carry products that are up to 40% more expensive than food prices compared to wealthier locations.

An Algramo automatic food dispenser is stocked with items like rice, lentils, beans and chick peas at a significantly lower cost. The food is also dispensed according to weight, so families can be sure to receive the exact amount they need or can afford. The social enterprise uses minimal packaging as well, by encouraging customers to reuse containers.
Trend Themes
1. Automatic Food Dispenser Machines - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop advanced automatic food dispenser machines that offer a wider range of staple foods and cater to different dietary restrictions.
2. Affordable Food Solutions - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create innovative solutions that provide affordable food options in impoverished communities, such as mobile food markets or community gardens.
3. Sustainable Packaging Initiatives - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Introduce sustainable packaging alternatives for food products, reducing waste and promoting environmentally-friendly practices.
Industry Implications
1. Food Vending Machine Industry - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop technologically advanced vending machines that cater to specific nutritional needs and offer a diverse selection of healthy and affordable food options.
2. Community Development and Social Enterprises - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Establish social enterprises and community development initiatives that focus on improving access to affordable food and addressing food insecurity in marginalized areas.
3. Sustainable Packaging Industry - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create sustainable packaging solutions for food products that are cost-effective, environmentally-friendly, and appeal to consumers conscious of their carbon footprint.
4.5
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness