Hack Away Hunger: Food Insecurity Challenge

Overview

The Hack Away Hunger: Food Insecurity Challenge is a technology-focused initiative by dsmHack (Des Moines Charity Hackathon), presented by Corteva Agriscience. Its primary goal is to leverage technology to enhance food access across the state of Iowa. This event aims to bring together technologists, nonprofits, businesses, and volunteers to collaboratively develop practical solutions for hunger-free communities. Food insecurity is understood as a multifaceted issue influenced by transportation, housing, employment, food costs, and access to services, requiring a community-wide effort to address. The challenge is structured as a 30-day innovation period, designed to allow teams sufficient time to build sustainable solutions rather than just weekend prototypes. The experience begins with a Kickoff Event on September 10, 2026, where participants can engage with community leaders and gain insights into food insecurity. This is followed by a two-week ideation phase for team formation and solution design, with project proposals due by September 17, 2026. A central component is a 48-Hour Accelerator Hackathon from September 24-26, 2026, where teams will develop their ideas in-person, with provided meals and refreshments. The final two weeks are dedicated to refining projects and preparing presentations for the Final Showcase on October 10, 2026. This event will feature presentations to a judging panel, competition for cash prizes, and a celebration of community innovation. Participants are encouraged to develop technology-driven solutions that tackle challenges identified during the kickoff or through independent research. Examples of focus areas include improving access to healthy food, reducing food waste, streamlining nonprofit operations, connecting individuals with assistance, enhancing data collaboration, increasing community awareness, and supporting policy efforts. Submissions can range from web and mobile applications to AI tools, data dashboards, hardware prototypes, and other innovative technologies.

What to build

Projects should create practical, technology-driven solutions addressing food insecurity in communities. Solutions should tackle one or more challenges identified during the kickoff event or through independent research. Examples include: * Improving access to healthy food * Reducing food waste through food rescue and redistribution * Streamlining nonprofit operations and volunteer management * Connecting individuals with food assistance resources * Improving data collection, reporting, and collaboration between organizations * Increasing community awareness and engagement * Supporting policy, advocacy, or research efforts through technology Submissions may include web applications, mobile apps, AI-powered tools, data dashboards, APIs, automation solutions, hardware prototypes, or other innovative technology demonstrating a meaningful approach to reducing food insecurity.

Prizes

Key dates

• Kickoff EventSeptember 10, 2026
• Project proposals dueSeptember 17, 2026 at midnight
• 48-Hour Accelerator HackathonSeptember 24–26, 2026
• DeadlineOctober 8, 2026 @ 11:45pm EDT
• Final ShowcaseOctober 10, 2026

Judging criteria

• Community Impact (30%): How effectively does the project address food insecurity? Judges will consider its potential to create meaningful, measurable benefits for individuals, nonprofits, and the community.
• Innovation (20%): How original is the solution? Judges will evaluate the creativity of the idea, its approach to solving the problem, and whether it offers a unique perspective or capability.
• Technical Execution (20%): How well was the project built? Judges will consider functionality, code quality, technical complexity, and the effective use of tools, APIs, AI, or other technologies.
• Feasibility & Sustainability (15%): Can this solution realistically be adopted and expanded? Judges will evaluate practicality, scalability, maintainability, and long-term potential.
• User Experience & Design (10%): Is the solution intuitive and accessible? Judges will assess usability, accessibility, and how well the design serves the needs of its intended users.
• Presentation (5%): Did the team clearly communicate their project? Judges will evaluate the quality of the demo, explanation of the problem and solution, and overall presentation.

Sponsors & partners

Resources

• Kickoff Event Registration