Inspiration
The world is facing major challenges like food insecurity, food waste, and rising inflation. In 2024, more than 669,000 households in Canada struggled to get enough food. At the same time, nearly 60% of food is wasted somewhere along the supply chain. These problems not only hurt families but also harm the environment. We felt inspired to take action and help break this cycle. Gratify was born out of a desire to connect surplus food with those in need, to reduce waste and ease the strain on families dealing with inflation.
What it does
Gratify is a web app designed to bridge the gap between surplus food and people in need. Restaurants, grocery stores, and individuals can list surplus food at discounted prices or for free. Users and charities organization can browse, claim, and pick up the food nearby. This simple solution not only reduces food waste but also helps those struggling to afford basic necessities.
How we built it
We used React for the frontend to create a responsive, user-friendly interface. On the backend, we built a secure and scalable server using Node.js and Express, while the data is stored in MongoDB. We integrated Firebase Authentication for a secure login system for users and businesses.
Challenges we ran into
One of the biggest challenges was time management. We also faced difficulties in designing a seamless user experience to make it simple for businesses and users to interact with the platform.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
We’re proud to have created a platform that can genuinely impact people’s lives by reducing waste and helping those in need. Building a fully functional web app with secure user authentication, dynamic surplus food listings, and real-time notifications has been a rewarding achievement.
What we learned
Throughout this project, we learned the importance of designing with the user in mind. Building a simple, clear, and functional user interface is crucial for an app like Gratify. Most importantly, we realized how technology can play a key role in solving real-world problems like food waste and hunger.
What's next for Gratify
Looking ahead, we have big plans for Gratify:
- Accessibility: We plan to implement text-to-speech features to make the app accessible for visually impaired users.
- Leaderboard Expansion: We will explore the leaderboard system in more depth to encourage businesses and individuals to donate more and help reduce food insecurity.
- Data Protection: Ensuring the security and privacy of user data will remain a top priority, and we will continue to strengthen our security measures.
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