A user research sprint with NYC residents using SNAP benefits to purchase groceries
Note: This project is a work in progress and this page reflects only the initial research and design proposals. A full case study is coming soon.
The project
This project was a 1.5 week community-based research sprint conducted during my fellowship at Blue Ridge Labs. The goal of the sprint was to propose a tech product or service that could assist NYC residents who use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to access fresh, affordable food.
The approach
We conducted a focus group with nine people who use SNAP as a regular part of their grocery shopping; conducted two site visits to farmers markets in historically redlined NYC neighborhoods; and conducted interviews with a community farm manager, food policy professionals, and farmers market staff.
Based on what we heard about the difficulty of finding affordable, high-quality SNAP-eligible groceries and fresh food, we created a prototype for our final proposal – a website called SNAPable, where users can find local farms and food pantries in their area and can also compare grocery prices to find the most affordable SNAP-eligible foods in local stores.
My role
As the UX Researcher on this sprint I wrote an interview script and conducted the interview; did secondary research; screened research participants and wrote a focus group script; conducted a site visit; reviewed transcripts and synthesized research; created a stakeholder map; and compiled the final presentation deck. I also worked alongside a UX Designer as she created a mid-fidelity prototype for SNAPable.