Holmes presenting research titled Optimizing College Food Pantry Locker Systems through Simulation Techniques at the Institute for Industrial and Systems Engineers Annual Conference and Expo 2024 in Montreal, Canada
Author: Jacob Holmes | Major: Industrial Engineering and Operations Analytics, French, German | Semester: Summer 2024
Over the 2023-2024 academic year, I conducted research over analyzing the food pantry locker system at the Jane B. Gearhart Full Circle Food Pantry on the University of Arkansas campus through discrete-event simulation methods under my advisor, Dr. Ashlea Bennett Milburn. This research will allow for decision-making in the pantry through management policies that can be adjusted as pantry lockers are upgraded or replaced, which can also be used for addressing client-growth related problems with the locker system. This process involves collecting system data as inputs for the simulation model, building the simulation model in a way that is both reflective of the actual system and robust to potential changes to the system, and statistically analyzing outputs to assess a variety of management policies and decisions that could be made to the system. By implementing this research, the pantry’s locker management policies will better reflect client needs while also ensuring accessibility of the locker system.
Over the past academic year, I worked with my research mentor to define the research topic, apply to research grants and conference presentations, and prepare an Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocol for a time study to measure volunteer order fulfillment times. Over this period, I also collected locker input data, like the times that the orders were placed, time utilization of the lockers, and volunteer numbers for each of the shifts. I also was able to present posters at the Universities Fighting World Hunger Summit and the Honors College Undergraduate Research Week Symposium during the spring semester.
Over the summer, I had the privilege of presenting at the Institute for Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE) Annual Conference and Expo in Montreal, Canada, which was funded by an Honors College Conference Travel Grant. I gave a 15-minute presentation on the story of my research and what future steps will be. Specifically, I was able to present problem definitions, discuss the novel applications of locker systems in food pantries for order accessibility, and what my research does in this space to address problems with the system and preventative measures. This experience was invaluable, as it allowed me to grow professionally through communication skills with oral presentations. It also allowed me to improve my research and fine tune definitions on how to communicate my research. For example, at the end of the presentation, I was approached with the idea of food pop-up stands used by some food banks and how I could consider them in my research.
In June and July, I was able to collect time data through the IRB-approved time study. This collection involved locker fulfillment times, email composure times, and tracking order size. Furthermore, I was able to look at trends in this data to use as inputs for the simulation model that represents the pantry. Additionally, I was able to validate the model I created and ensure that it functions as expected. This process included incorporating logic that represent certain standards of practice found in the pantry, such as the days that the orders are fulfilled and at what time that process begins and ends. These rules could also include which order the process takes place: the order entering the inventory-tracking system, the order being fulfilled, it being placed in the locker, and then an email communicating the locker information to the client. After discussion with my research advisor, we ensured that this step was complete and technical pieces would ensure functionality in the simulation software.
In the 2025/2026 academic year, I plan on continuing my research by testing alternative policies on the simulation model and recommending an effective policy for the pantry. During this time, I will also finish my honors thesis and defend it at the end of this period.