You are part of a successful product development firm that prides itself on being at the cutting edge of technology. The firm designs a wide range of successful, innovative consumer and professional products that are driven by new technologies, societal trends or challenges, and concerns about quality-of-life and global sustainability. Each year your company challenges a select group of teams to propose and develop innovative products in a new strategic direction.

This year the strategic direction is "food".

Food security is a pressing global issue and is of national importance.

The net is broad. Any viable, meaningful product idea related to the food industry is a potential candidate—sustainability, security, supply and safety, agriculture, animal welfare, health, manufacturing, distribution, preservation, food services, community farming, restaurants, and housewares all touch upon the theme.

Target customers may include those living in developed or developing countries.

Business models may range from products for under-served clients, to products distributed on a non-profit basis, to highly profitable mass-produced goods.

However, in all cases you must develop a realistic plan for how the product can be produced and sustained. If the plan is unrealistic, the product will fail and have no impact.

You are a member of one of 8 teams that have been charged with this challenge. Your team will consider ideas generated through its own ideation and research, along with themes introduced by clients at an idea fair.

The alpha prototype development phase begins on September 10 and culminates on December 6 at the final presentations.

Good luck!