42M Americans Losing Food Aid—This AI Could Feed Them (with Samuel Cole, CTO of Lemontree Foods)

*What if ending hunger in America is really just a data problem waiting to be solved?* With 42 million Americans facing food assistance cuts in November 2025 and government support disappearing, one AI-powered nonprofit is proving that technology can restore dignity to those experiencing food insecurity.

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Discover how Samuel Cole, CTO of Lemon Tree Foods, is using Netflix-style recommendation algorithms and Uber-level user experience to connect over 450,000 households to free food assistance—transforming the way America fights hunger.

What You'll Learn

*The Shocking Truth About Food Access in America*
There are more food pantries than McDonald's locations across the United States, yet millions of hungry Americans don't know they exist or feel too stigmatized to visit.

*How AI is Revolutionizing Food Assistance*
Learn how Lemon Tree uses machine learning recommendation models, real-time user reviews, and human-in-the-loop hospitality specialists to match people with the right food resources—just like booking an Uber or finding a show on Netflix.

*Breaking Down Barriers with Technology*
Discover how sophisticated algorithms combined with compassionate customer support are removing stigma, ensuring data privacy, and bringing enterprise-level hospitality to nonprofit services.

*The Data Behind Hunger Relief*
Find out how real-time feedback loops and AI-driven insights are reducing food waste, optimizing distribution networks, and identifying food deserts where new pantries are desperately needed.

*Why This Matters Now More Than Ever*
With government hunger programs being eliminated and SNAP benefits cut for millions, nonprofit technology solutions are becoming the critical safety net for American families.

Key Takeaways

*00:00* Samuel Cole's journey from Kickstarter & ActBlue to solving food insecurity
*03:00* Why millions of Americans don't access available food resources
*06:30* How AI recommendation algorithms match people to food pantries
*12:00* The human-in-the-loop approach: hospitality specialists + technology
*16:00* Addressing bias, privacy concerns, and maintaining dignity
*22:00* The bigger picture: AI's role in redesigning social safety nets
*28:00* How nonprofits can step up as government support disappears

About Our Guest

Samuel Cole is the Chief Technology Officer at **Lemon Tree Foods**, a groundbreaking nonprofit using artificial intelligence to connect hundreds of thousands of households to food assistance. With a background at major tech companies including Kickstarter and ActBlue (where he helped build fundraising tools for the 2020 Biden campaign), Samuel now applies his engineering expertise to one of America's most pressing challenges: ensuring no one goes hungry.

Take Action

*Need food assistance?* Visit [FoodHelpline.org](http://foodhelpline.org/) to find food pantries near you with just your address—no judgment, maximum dignity.

*Want to help?* Donate at [FoodHelpline.org/donate](http://foodhelpline.org/donate) or organize corporate volunteering with your team to support this critical mission.

*Looking for a food pantry to volunteer at?* Use Lemon Tree's search tool to discover local pantries in your neighborhood that need volunteers—it's a powerful way to connect with your community.

Why This Episode Matters

As America faces unprecedented challenges with food insecurity—including the November 2025 SNAP benefit cuts affecting 42 million people—technology-driven solutions like Lemon Tree are proving that innovation, when combined with compassion, can transform lives at scale. This conversation explores how AI for social good isn't just a buzzword—it's a lifeline for millions of families.

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