Enhancing Fairness in Food Assistance: A Data-Driven Framework for Equitable Resource Distribution

Abstract: This study proposes a data-driven framework to improve fairness in food assistance programs in the United States, focusing on addressing geographic and accessibility inequities. The framework integrates spatial analysis, optimization techniques, and stakeholder engagement to ensure equitable allocation of food resources, especially for communities with limited transportation access. It utilizes granular, location-specific data to identify inefficiencies in current distribution systems and to support more informed decision-making. To promote usability across a broad range of stakeholders, including food banks, community organizations, volunteers, and beneficiaries, the framework includes tailored visualizations and tools that account for varying levels of technical expertise. Designed to operate at a highly localized scale, the framework prioritizes underserved communities and incorporates feedback mechanisms to support continuous improvement. This adaptable and collaborative approach aims to transform food distribution systems into more equitable and resilient networks, ultimately contributing to long-term food security.

Bio: Sadan Kulturel‐Konak is a Professor of Management Information Systems and the Director of the Flemming Creativity, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Development (CEED) Center at Penn State Berks. Dr. Kulturel also has a courtesy appointment at Penn State Harold and Inge Marcus Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering. She received her Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Auburn University. Dr. Kulturel’s research focuses on modeling and optimizing complex systems using hybrid approaches combining heuristic methods and exact techniques from probability and operations research. The primary application areas of her research include designing and redesigning facilities to provide significant economic benefits for US firms. Dr. Kulturel is also interested in pedagogical research related to entrepreneurship and STEM fields, including professional skill development, innovative thinking skills, and gender differences in learning styles. She served as the elected president of INFORMS-Women in OR/MS (WORMS), the elected chair of INFORMS- Facility Logistics Special Interest Group, and the chair of the ASEE Middle Atlantic Section. She is currently an academic member of the College Industry Council on Material Handling Education (CICMHE). She is an Associate Editor of the Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence (Elsevier). She has served as a principal investigator on several sponsored projects funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and VentureWell. She is a member of INFORMS, IEEE, and ASEE.