In a world where nearly 800 million people struggle with hunger and over 333 million face acute food shortages, technology emerges as a powerful weapon in the fight against global food insecurity. The Zero Hunger Hackathon, a groundbreaking collaboration between Tech To The Rescue and AWS, proved that when innovative tech minds and passionate nonprofits join forces, impossible challenges become solvable opportunities.
By the numbers: a hackathon like no other
Three stories of hope and innovation
Nourishing Ecuador’s indigenous communities
Nonprofit: Fundación ADHA, Ecuador
In the heart of Ecuador’s rural communities, a revolutionary chatbot is changing how mothers access nutritional information. Manka, a prototype developed during our hackathon, aims to deliver personalized, culturally-sensitive nutrition guidance directly to 40,000 mothers of children aged 0-5 via WhatsApp.
The winning team, “Latin ninjas from AWS” captured the spirit of the event perfectly:
“Coding for good is not about technology—it’s about humans helping humans.”
Bridging farmers and markets: empowering West African agriculture
Nonprofit: Mahouna Farms, Benin
Mahouna Farms emerged from a deeply personal mission to transform agricultural challenges into opportunities. In Benin, small-scale farmers often struggle to connect with larger markets, leaving their hard-grown produce vulnerable to waste and economic instability. This family-owned social enterprise saw beyond these challenges, recognizing that technology could be the bridge between local farmers and broader economic networks.
During the Zero Hunger Hackathon, the coding team “Codeplay from Convedo” developed M’Farms Plus, a prototype of an innovative app designed to break down traditional market barriers. By creating a digital platform that connects local West African farmers directly to wider markets, the solution promises to revolutionize how agricultural produce is bought, sold, and distributed. The app isn’t just a technological tool—it’s a lifeline for farmers who have traditionally been marginalized from larger economic ecosystems.
Transforming food waste into community nourishment
Nonprofit: Haba na Haba Food Bank, Uganda
In Uganda, Haba na Haba Food Bank tackles food insecurity by turning food waste into a community resource. Their innovative approach connects surplus food with vulnerable populations, addressing hunger while simultaneously reducing environmental waste.
During the Zero Hunger Hackathon, “The Winning Team” developed a groundbreaking USSD-based system that enables food distribution in areas with limited internet connectivity. This technological solution is designed to redistribute over 10,000 meals monthly, potentially reducing food waste by 30% and expanding community outreach by 1,000 people.
A heartfelt thank you
To every tech innovator, changemaker, and supporter—especially our incredible partners at AWS—thank you for proving that technology can be a powerful force for good. Together, we’re not just writing code; we’re writing a future where no one goes hungry.
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