Located at Babson’s Social Innovation Lab, the company seeks to identify how so-called food deserts - geographical areas without access to a grocery store or fresh food - are formed, and how to make healthy food sustainable for all.
“It’s a partnership that’s a face-to-face model. We are saying, ‘Let’s leave our brands at the door and act upon this,’ ’’ Greenberger said. “Can we bring it down to a few people sitting around a table, and as best as possible curate a conversation driven toward valuable solutions?’’
Greenberger, a 33-year-old Babson MBA graduate who studied food-system dynamics and consumer behavior in the sustainable food movement, came up with the concept for a company similar to a think tank, but centered on action. By creating a digital map to pinpoint food-related issues, Food Sol intends to highlight pressing topics such as food deserts and fair trade, linking experts in the field with would-be entrepreneurs to ignite working relationships.
“Right now, everything in the food world is fragmented and complicated and confusing,’’ she said. “This is a tool helping you navigate the issues you care about, an awareness tool on a Web platform.’’
Cheryl Kiser, who is executive director of the school’s innovation lab, Greenberger’s faculty adviser, and a Food Sol co-creator, described the map as “a GPS system to map the dilemmas in food so people, business or consumer, can figure out where to go for help.’’
Food Sol intends to foster “a way into thinking about innovation in the food-supply chain, whether it’s creating more cooperatives or building agribusiness in Fall River,’’ Kiser said. “We are a laboratory where people can come and engage in conversation.’’
Companies will pay to engage, Kiser said. She hopes to involve such companies as Cargill Inc., Monsanto Co. , PepsiCo , and the Coca-Cola Co.
