RescueBites

Names and Emails

Malika Iyer: malika@udel.edu Bryant Ferguson: btbf@udel.edu Mayowa Ayeni: mayeni@udel.edu

Inspiration

Millions face food insecurity, which worsens during economic downturns, natural disasters, and supply chain disruptions. Many households struggle to create nutritious meals with limited ingredients they have, creating food waste and unbalanced diets. Traditional meal-planning apps require users to purchase specific ingredients, which isn’t feasible for food-insecure individuals. Existing food assistance programs focus on food distribution but don’t provide personalized guidance on how to make the most of received items.

What it does

RescueBites is a platform that connects surplus food from restaurants, grocery stores, and individuals to food-insecure communities. It features:

CommunityBites: A food-sharing network where individuals can connect with local non-profits or businesses that provide food
MealBites: An AI-powered meal recommender that helps users create nutritious meals based on available pantry items, ensuring food doesn’t go to waste.

How we built it

We used:

React with Bootstrap, CSS, HTML, TypeScript for an engaging and dynamic frontend.
Flask, Python & SmallTalk for a scalable backend
AI-powered meal recommendation system with Gemini API to provide recommendations on common ingredients and recipes.

Challenges we ran into

API issues: reading the documentation and getting to know the platform had a learning curve that took time. Having a simple yet complex database and trying to implement GET, POST, DELETE to work.
SmallTalk documentation caused a steep learning curve

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Successfully implementing AI-driven meal recommendations to reduce food waste.
Designing an intuitive and visually compelling interface for user engagement.
Creating a platform that empowers communities and fosters food-sharing culture.

What we learned

The importance solutions that address real-world problems, especially in food security.
How to design for social impact, making technology accessible and meaningful.
Strategies to integrate AI, UX, and logistics for seamless food distribution.

What's next for RescueBites

Expanding CommunityBites to partner with more local businesses and food banks.
Refining MealBites AI to incorporate nutritional insights and dietary restrictions.
Developing a mobile app for wider accessibility and real-time food sharing.
Exploring blockchain technology for food donation tracking and transparency.