Technology A — Pratt Grad ComD

Project Description

Geography of a Meal is an interactive map that visualizes the hidden geography of New York City’s food system. By typing in any food, users can see where its ingredients come from and how they travel, revealing the global web of farms, transport routes, and markets that sustain the city. The map pairs each ingredient with an estimate of how much the city spends importing it each year, turning abstract trade data into a visual story that links the everyday to the people and places that make it possible. The project grew from a desire to make an invisible system visible. New York City relies almost entirely on imported food, yet few residents understand its origins or the distance each ingredient travels. By merging technology, design, and environmental awareness, the project transforms a static spreadsheet into an interactive experience that connects global supply chains with local growers and urban agriculture projects. Food is one of the most essential yet overlooked infrastructures of urban life. Understanding where it comes from is critical for building sustainable cities and resilient communities. This project makes that system tangible, inviting reflection on climate impact, equity, and the value of local production.

Credits

As noted in the code, this project was made with AI, predominantly using the Gemini command line. The dataset that this project is based on was compiled from multiple sources, with the main source being FDA food import reports.

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