Pantry Pilot

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  Show foods that are about to expire and ones that already are along with past ones

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  Process of adding items

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  Different foods you can make with foods you have

Inspiration

As someone who came from a low income family every ounce of food was vital. In AP Environmental we learn about how around a Billion people are malnourished around the world even though there is enough food around to provide for everyone. Waste is the one of the main reasons for this, this website hopes to solve the problem.

What it does

The website helps households track their groceries from purchase to use by calculating expiration dates based on food type, storage location, and whether an item is opened, then sending reminders and showing insights to reduce food waste and cost.

How we built it

We built the website using Lovable to design and deploy the web app, handling the database, workflows, and user interface. ChatGPT was used to help plan the system logic, write rule-based expiration calculations, and refine features, structure, and documentation.

Challenges we ran into

One major challenge was researching accurate food storage and expiration rules, since different foods last longer depending on storage location and whether they are opened. We also had to validate assumptions, handle edge cases, and balance accuracy with simplicity so the system stayed reliable without using AI or external data sources.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We’re proud that we built a fully working, rule based system that can genuinely help people reduce food waste in their daily lives. The app turns small habits, like checking what to eat next, into real savings by preventing spoiled food, tracking waste, and encouraging smarter consumption.

What we learned

We learned that food has very different lifespans depending on type, storage, and whether it is opened, and that many items spoil much faster than people expect while others last longer when stored correctly. Understanding these differences showed how better tracking and awareness can significantly reduce unnecessary food waste.

What's next for Pantry Pilot

Next, we want to turn Pantry Pilot into a mobile app so users can quickly add items, check expiration dates, and get reminders on their phones while shopping or cooking, making the system easier to use and part of everyday routines.

Built With

• chatgpt
• lovable