Vivery expands food access platform after decade of growth

Vivery is launching its full platform for food banks, pantries and neighbors after more than 10 years of development with frontline partners. The rollout widens access to food, benefits and Food is Medicine programs as the company scales across 120 food banks and 30,000 pantries nationwide.

Why it matters: - Vivery is aiming to make food and support easier to find in a system where resources are often scattered across community organizations, government programs and healthcare providers. - The platform could help food banks and pantries reach more people, while giving neighbors a single place to look for food, benefits and local support. - Vivery also extends into Food is Medicine programs, tying food access to healthcare-funded and philanthropic models.

What happened: - Vivery announced the launch of its full platform and suite of solutions in Chicago on Sept. 23, 2026. - The company said the rollout expands beyond its original Find Food Map. - Vivery now works with 120 food banks and 30,000 pantries nationwide. - The company said the platform began more than a decade ago with a small team of technologists focused on fixing a broken system. - Vivery partnered with the Greater Chicago Food Depository to design the technology with frontline workers. - Vivery was recognized with a Chicago Innovation Award for social impact technology.

The details: - The free Vivery app lets neighbors find nearby food, explore benefits and programs, and get real-time updates about support in their community. - Pantries can use the platform to keep information current and communicate directly with neighbors. - Food banks can use data from the platform to identify where needs are greatest, spot gaps and strengthen programs. - Vivery powers Food is Medicine programs that connect neighbors to medically tailored groceries. - The platform also gives food banks infrastructure to run philanthropic and healthcare-funded programs. - Northern Illinois Food Bank is one of Vivery’s early partners. - Julie Yurko, president and CEO of Northern Illinois Food Bank, said Vivery has helped the organization reach neighbors it might not have connected with otherwise and described the experience as mobile-friendly. - Yurko said Vivery is evolving from helping people find food to connecting them with Food is Medicine programs. - Vivery said its mission is to help people thrive through access to food, benefits and care. - Vivery Community remains an independent nonprofit focused on expanding community-based food access programs across Chicago. - Vivery Community continues to use Vivery technology alongside healthcare providers, food providers and community partners.

Between the lines: - The launch suggests Vivery is shifting from a search tool into a broader operating system for food access and support. - The strategy leans on trusted local institutions rather than replacing them, which may help adoption in communities where trust and awareness are major barriers. - The push into healthcare-linked programs points to a larger trend: food access is increasingly being treated as part of care delivery, not just emergency aid. - Vivery Founder and CEO Nasrin Thierer said food insecurity is a systems problem and that technology, paired with trust, can change what is possible for neighbors and the organizations serving them.

What's next: - Vivery said the work is far from finished as it enters its next chapter. - The company plans to keep focused on making it easier for people to get the help they need. - Vivery says the expanded platform is designed to help more neighbors find more of the food and support they need to thrive. - More information is available at Vivery. - Vivery also maintains a social presence on LinkedIn.

The bottom line: - Vivery is betting that better technology, paired with trusted local providers, can close the gap between available help and the people who need it most.