LastBite

Inspiration

Our mission is to decrease waste and ensure optimal food distribution through an app that enables people to donate or sell their soon-to-expire or unwanted food. Additionally, we aim to increase the flow of food to prevent loss, provide an alternative to high prices of staple foods, and lower the rate of wasted food. Ultimately, our goal is to educate society about the pollution caused by their waste and teach positive habits that can be adopted.

According to the UN, around 17% of all consumer-available food is wasted each year. In 2019, a staggering 931 million tons of food were wasted, including items sold to households, retailers, restaurants, and other food services. This is an alarming amount, especially considering that in our country alone, the famine rate is 6.7%, and globally it's 9.3% as of 2020. The decomposition of food in landfills emits methane, a potent greenhouse gas. It's crucial to note that methane concentrations have increased up to 18 parts per billion.

With Last Bite, we'll be addressing this issue by enabling the selling or donating of items we no longer use, providing gains for both the user and the buyer. By doing so, we can contribute to food security and nutrition for the most vulnerable individuals. According to the FAO, food waste represents a loss of economic, social, and environmental resources that could be used to enhance food production and access, particularly in developing countries where hunger and poverty are more severe. If food waste were reduced, more people could be fed with fewer resources, resulting in a positive impact on the health, well-being, and dignity of millions of human beings. We all have the power to contribute to food conservation.

What it does

The mobile application "LastBite" would function as a digital marketplace connecting sellers and buyers. The main products for sale would be items approaching their expiration dates that we have in our homes and know we won't consume before they expire. These products are listed on the platform so that someone who will consume them can acquire them at a very low cost, promoting the reduction of food waste and the creation of a community committed to the environment. Additionally, to provide a visual incentive to users, a digital community or rather a virtual world will be created where users accumulate items based on their purchases and sales. Small signs with achievements and information about how their small actions are helping the planet by reducing the immense amount of waste through this application model will be displayed.

How we built it

Application Development: We are committed to creating a mobile application that offers a comprehensive solution for environmental care and encourages sustainable practices. Our platform will be developed using an iterative and user-centered approach. We will start with a clear definition of requirements and essential functionalities, such as user profiles, eco-friendly product catalog, donation system, educational content, and purchasing features.

Convenient Programming Language - Flutter: To ensure a smooth and consistent experience across multiple platforms (iOS and Android), we have chosen to use the Flutter framework. Flutter uses the Dart programming language, allowing us to develop an application with a single codebase that can be compiled for both platforms. Additionally, Flutter provides a wide range of customizable widgets and development tools that will expedite the creation process and enable an attractive and responsive user interface.

Convenient Database - Firebase: Given the need for a real-time and scalable database to store product information, user data, donations, and transactions, we have opted to use Firebase. Firebase offers a real-time database that automatically syncs data across devices and allows for efficient data management. It also provides secure authentication and other useful features such as cloud storage for multimedia files and push notifications.

Frameworks to Integrate: Flutter: As mentioned earlier, Flutter will be the primary framework for mobile application development as it enables us to efficiently create rich and engaging user interfaces.

Firebase SDK: We will integrate the Firebase SDK to handle user authentication, real-time database management, and push notifications.

APIs: Payment Gateway API: Stripe API We will integrate a reliable payment gateway to facilitate transactions within the application, allowing users to purchase eco-friendly products and donate to solidarity campaigns.

Environmental Education API: Environmental Data API To enhance the educational content of the application, we will integrate an API that provides up-to-date information on sustainable practices, environmental data, and tips for living in a more eco-friendly manner.

Geolocation API: Google Maps Platform API We will incorporate geolocation functionality to enable users to easily find eco-friendly product retailers and nearby environmental events.

Challenges we ran into

One of the most complex aspects in developing this idea is the creation of the virtual world that connects everyone, not only due to the development challenges but also because of the design and setting envisioned for this entire world. Another difficulty that emerged during the logical development of the app is the need to carefully handle user age validation. However, in this regard, personal information such as email and phone number will be requested to confirm the user's age through these means.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We are more than proud to present an idea that could bring about a positive change and even hope for improving the planet in a more interactive manner, while educating people to continue caring for the planet beyond the application. This could potentially mark a before and after in the lives of many individuals.

What we learned

We learned the importance of teamwork and how it enables us to create ideas focused on a better future. Additionally, we gained more knowledge than we previously had about pollution, its impact, and how, often unknowingly, we contribute to the problem every day.

What's next for LastBite

Continuing with the creation of one of the communities that could be among the strongest in the future, because the young population will be one of the most common users due to the interactive aspect of creating the virtual world as we have planned to do it.