Fifty-four million people are food insecure and lack consistent access to enough food to meet basic nutritional needs. Twenty-three million people live in food deserts, areas where people lack access to affordable and healthy food due to the absence of grocery stores, the high cost of healthy food, or transportation barriers. Food insecurity and living in food deserts are major contributors to obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases.
Based on her own experience with food insecurity, Ashley Tyrner launched Farmbox Direct in 2014. The company makes healthy eating accessible to people who are food insecure.
In 2019, Tyrner pivoted to focus on the healthcare plan market,