Design process
The design process that was followed to achieve the aims and objectives of MealBridge is a generalized, industry-standard UX design process. This process is iterative and user-centered, ensuring the app effectively bridges the gap between surplus food donors and recipients such as orphanages and old age homes
Challenge
Restaurant, café, catering, and other food service owners often have surplus food at the end of the day, but lack a clear and convenient way to identify where and to whom they can donate this excess. As a result, much of this food goes to waste. On the other side, old age homes, orphanages, and similar institutions frequently need additional food support, but they may not know where to request help, how to reach out, or may feel hesitant to ask for donations. This disconnect leads to unnecessary food wastage and unmet needs among vulnerable communities.
Solution
The app enables food providers to post details of available surplus food, making these listings visible to those in need. Orphanages, old age homes, and individuals can browse available food, request specific items, or even post their own food requests. Contact numbers are saved within the app, allowing both parties to communicate directly and coordinate pickup or delivery. This streamlined platform makes it simple for donors to share surplus food and for recipients to access the support they need, reducing food waste and helping communities efficiently and compassionately
Background research
Food waste is a critical issue in India, with approximately 40% of the food produced in the country going to waste each year. This amounts to about 74–78 million tonnes annually, or roughly 2.03 lakh tonnes per day. Households are responsible for about 70% of this waste, while food services such as restaurants, hotels, and catering contribute 26%, and retail outlets account for 4%. Despite this large volume of wasted food, millions of people in India including residents of old age homes, orphanages, and those facing economic hardship struggle with food insecurity and lack regular access to nutritious meals.
Discover Phase
To build a helpful food donation app, I talked with many different people. I spoke with restaurant and bakery owners, hotel staff, event planners, individual donors, schools, and old age home managers. These conversations helped me understand the problems they face with extra food and the challenges they encounter when trying to donate food.
Challenges and Insights
Quantitative Research
I conducted a survey using a Google Form, targeting owners and administrators of old age homes, as well as restaurant and catering services.
Quantitative Research Responses
Responses from Google Form Link By the owners of Old age home
Key Insights from Our Survey
From Old-Age Home Owners
73% said getting enough food was their biggest concern when receiving donations.
82% get most of their food from local suppliers.
73% were hesitant to ask for food donations, while 18% had never received any.
54% preferred ready-to-eat meals, while 45% wanted a mix of different food items.
Can you describe the daily food challenges faced by your residents?
How do you currently source food for your facility, and what are the limitations?
Have you ever received food donations, and if so, what was the process like?
What types of food items or donations would be most beneficial for your residents?
From Restaurant Owners and Catering Services
75% throw away leftover or unused food as waste.
63% said they have extra food when customer demand changes.
38% sometimes gave extra food to charities or people in need.
38% have never donated their extra food.
56% didn't know how or where to donate food.
31% lacked connections with charity organizations.
How do you currently manage excess food that goes unsold or unused?
Are there specific times or situations when you have surplus food that you cannot sell?
Have you ever donated surplus food to charitable organizations or individuals in need?
Are there any concerns or barriers that have prevented you from donating food more frequently?
Early Exploration
The initial design sketches were created on paper to quickly visualize the core screens and user flows of the mobile app. These low-fidelity sketches focused on simplicity and clarity, outlining key features such as user registration, dashboard overview, donation posting, donation history, and real-time tracking.
Information Architecture
Design Screens
Offer Meal
User Testing and Feedback
"LOVED THE APPLICATION, IT HAS HUGE POTENTIAL TO REDUCE FOOD WASTE AND HELP PEOPLE IN NEED."
"EVERYONE SHOULD BE MADE AWARE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF FOOD DONATION AND THE IMPACT IT CAN HAVE ON OUR COMMUNITIES."
Reflecting on the project outcomes
Working on Meal Bridge taught me a lot.
User-Centered Focus
Always focus on what users need to create relevant solutions.
Simplified User Experience
Keep the app easy to use to ensure accessibility for all users.
Purpose Communication
Help people understand why food donation matters to drive engagement.
Continuous Improvement
Keep making the app better with feedback to enhance functionality.
This whole process really showed me how apps like Meal Bridge can help people and reduce waste.
Thank you for reading
Hope you enjoyed exploring MealBridge, where extra food meets those who need it.
