During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Anora Morton faced a challenge that millions experience daily; limited access to fresh, healthy food. With no grocery stores delivering to her neighborhood, she saw an opportunity to rethink food accessibility. Drawing inspiration from Japan’s advanced vending machine culture, she envisioned a smarter, more equitable way to bring nutritious meals to underserved communities.
The Nori Project was born from Dr. Morton’s desire to bridge the gap between technology and food equity. By leveraging smart vending solutions, the company is pioneering a new approach to making healthy food convenient, affordable, and accessible. Focusing on innovation, data-driven insights, and sustainability, The Nori Project aims to redefine how people experience food in workplaces, schools, hospitals, and beyond.
We spoke with Dr. Anora Morton, founder of The Nori Project, to learn more about her journey into Food Equi-Tech, the evolution of her mission, and her bold vision for the future of food accessibility.
How did you become interested in Food Equi-Tech?
AM: I became interested in Food Equi-Tech because I was facing a problem that directly and adversely affected my life. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I struggled with access to fresh, healthy food in my neighborhood, as no grocery stores delivered to my area. While reflecting on this challenge, I recalled how vending machines in Japan were used to deliver a wide range of products conveniently and efficiently. I saw an opportunity to adapt that solution to address food access issues in underserved markets. It wasn’t something I planned—it just kind of happened as I connected the dots between my problem and a potential solution.
I envision a future where smart vending machines, like Nori, are seamlessly integrated into workplaces, schools, hospitals, and underserved communities, providing healthy, affordable meals to everyone, no matter where they are.
Where do you see Food Equi-Tech headed in the future?
AM: I see Food Equi-Tech driving a transformative shift in how people access and experience healthy food. As technology becomes more advanced, the possibilities for improving food equity are limitless. I envision a future where smart vending machines, like Nori, are seamlessly integrated into workplaces, schools, hospitals, and underserved communities, providing healthy, affordable meals to everyone, no matter where they are. The future of Food Equi-Tech will also involve leveraging data and AI to anticipate food needs, reduce waste, and tailor offerings to the unique cultural and dietary preferences of each community. Ultimately, I believe this sector will play a pivotal role in solving systemic food insecurity, fostering healthier communities, and creating a more sustainable and equitable global food system.
What does success look like to The Nori Project in the short term and long term?
AM: Success for Nori in the short term means getting our remaining machines installed and fully operational this quarter, ensuring they deliver the seamless, healthy food experience we promise. By next quarter, we aim to launch a significant fundraising round to support our expansion and innovation efforts. In the long term, success looks like scaling Nori machines nationwide, creating a widespread network of accessible, healthy vending solutions. We want Nori to become synonymous with food equity and innovation, revolutionizing how people access healthy meals while making a tangible impact on food insecurity and well-being across the country.
Find out more about The Nori Project at thenoriproject.com. Are you a startup based in or looking to relocate to Kentucky? Keyhorse’s current quarterly investment cycle is open! Apply now.
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