Minimizing food waste through ingredients management
I worked as the product designer for OneFridge, leading the process from ideation to final prototype.
Duration
Jun - Aug 2022
About OneFridge
An inventory tracking app that helps college students reduce food waste at home.
I conducted interviews and surveys to explore students’ eating habits, challenges, and motivations around food waste.
Many users lose track of what’s in their inventory.
As a result, users often overbuy, and ingredients sit unused until they eventually spoil.
How might we make checking inventory feel effortless and habitual?
1 / Timely notifications
Based on users’ locations, the app prompts them to upload receipts after grocery trips and notifies them when ingredients are nearing expiration.
Fridge
We notice you were at the grocery store earlier. Upload your receipt to update your inventory now.
Today, 13:24
Fridge
Tomatoes and Bananas will expire in 2 days. Have them soon!
Today, 15:08
2 / Pantry insights
The Insights section gives users an overview of their pantry and highlights which products spoiled last time.
Users often struggle to repurpose existing ingredients, leading to unnecessary purchases.
Rommie Ron
Ugh, how can I stay on top of what my roommates have?
I love days when I don’t have to cook.
What’s in the fridge?
Alone Amelia
I want this. But would I eat this?
Meal for one is a real challenge.
Meal prepping
Planning
Grocery shopping
Cooking
Leftovers handling
User experience map from planning to handling leftovers
How might we encourage students to cook with what they already own?
1 / Recipe suggestion
The app generates recipe suggestions from existing ingredients and allows users to filter by diet.
Users find it difficult to manage ingredients collaboratively with others in their household.
Family Fiona
I’ll eat this tomorrow.
What did dad buy the other day?
Did peaches go expired last time?
Meal prepping
Planning
Grocery shopping
Cooking
Leftovers handling
User experience map from planning to handling leftovers
How might we help household members coordinate inventory more effectively?
1 / Shared fridge
The inventory can be shared among roommates, families and couples.
Asking the right questions
Through this project, I learned that the best solution isn’t always adding another feature. Finding it often requires multiple iterations, but clearly framing the problem and asking the right questions gives me confidence in the direction I take.