With the increasing availability of food, the problem of food waste has intensified. Ironically, both hunger and food waste are on the rise. It simply implies that we do not lack food but rather the means to bridge the gap between surplus food and needy people.

Technological advancements can only bridge this void. In the same way, mobile apps have helped link providers and seekers, and they are doing the same here. Multiple Food Waste Apps combat the problem in their unique ways.

What is Food Wastage?

Food waste, or what should be referred to as wasted food, is the word used to describe food that, for whatever reason, was not eaten and was allowed to go to waste. It comprises uneaten food on plates, discarded cooked food, vegetable peels, improperly prepared food, damaged food, unsold food, and everything edible that was not consumed. Food waste is food that does not make it to the consumption phase.

Features to add to a Food Waste Management App

Features are the primary elements that go into the construction of any program. The app’s functionality in terms of the food waste management services it offers to its users is directly proportional to its features. Some features need to be included in every app’s design, notwithstanding the kind of app the developer intends to create.

1. Food Index

Every app must have a food listing option, whether for sharing with neighbors, donating to NGOs, selling at a discount, or gifting to volunteers. Visiting donors without understanding what they are contributing might waste time. Therefore, food listing characteristics allow the seeker to determine if the donor is giving or supplying appropriate food items.

2. Payment and Refunds Are Simple

The applications that facilitate the acquisition of discounts on food goods nearing their expiry date must facilitate payment and refunds. If food is received that is ruined, purchasers should not only be assisted throughout the payment process but also while requesting a refund.

3. Connecting the Appropriate Stakeholders

Hotels, restaurants, and eateries are the primary source of food waste and surplus food production. On the other hand, NGOs need food to give to poor and hungry individuals. Therefore, the app should include a function that allows businesses to share their excess food with NGOs and other social service organizations.

4. Barcode Scanner

Every app for food waste management must have a barcode scanner to determine food’s shelf life. The application may provide information such as the list of components, nutritional value, packing date, expiration date, applicable recipes, etc.

5. Notifications and Warnings

Every app must provide notifications and alerts to its users following the established guidelines. Alerts keep users informed whether they pertain to new food listings, requests from an NGO or neighbour, food expiry, the need to buy, a new recipe, or anything else.

Cost to Develop Apps for Food Waste Management

The cost of app development varies based on several variables. The cost of app development is dependent on the app’s specs and the sort of application you desire to create. The price of an app for managing food waste will depend on the following:

• Number of attributes you intend to implement,
• Type of capabilities you want to provide,
• The nation from which the team is hired,
• For which platform (Android or iOS) are you designing the app?
• The time required for developers to create the application.
• Stack of technologies used by the application,
• Changes you want at various phases of life, and much more

If you want to contribute to the food waste management business, you must ensure you have a solid and feature-rich application. Undoubtedly, it will need a substantial expenditure on your part. Consider food waste management app development costs ranging from $40,000 to $200,000 to obtain a general estimate. However, this is only an estimate, and the real cost may vary dependent on the variables above.

The advantages of food waste apps

• Inventory management will become much more effective.
• The company will only acquire the necessary inventory, which will cut costs.
• Businesses may sell their surplus food at a discount, offsetting food costs.
• Restaurants and hotels may volunteer without extra or considerable work using food waste applications.

Wrapping Up

Food waste is a severe worldwide issue, with over one-third of food wasted annually in the United States alone. Interestingly, the hunger index is equally noteworthy. Both contradicting comments demonstrate that there is not food scarcity but rather a lack of a system that can bridge the gap between excess food and an empty plate.

With their novel food-sharing concept, mobile applications have started to close this gap. Some applications deliver excess food from restaurants to families in need, while others guarantee that packaged food is used before its expiration date. In one way or another, apps have shown to be an efficient means of combating food waste, and consumers are interested in them.

Finally, connect with mobile app development company if you want to develop a food waste management app.