Thrift Pantry

Inspiration

The inspiration behind our project stems from the pressing global issues of food waste and hunger. We recognized the potential to address both by creating a platform that not only redistributes surplus food but also makes groceries more affordable. By partnering with NGOs and local businesses, we aim to contribute to food security while supporting sustainable practices. Our goal is to foster a community where reducing food waste and boosting local economies go hand in hand.

What it Does

Our platform, Thrift Pantry, connects businesses with surplus food to individuals looking for affordable options. It offers a real-time inventory system, allowing users to see available products and make informed decisions. The app creates a win-win scenario: consumers access budget-friendly goods while businesses reduce waste and recoup value from surplus items. With each transaction, Thrift Pantry helps nourish both wallets and the planet.

How We Built It

We built Thrift Pantry by leveraging modern web technologies and integrating with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). This integration expands the network of available surplus food and ensures smooth, standardized transactions. Our team focused on creating a user-friendly interface with real-time updates, personalized recommendations, and dynamic pricing. The development process was a collaborative effort, bringing together expertise in supply chain management, software development, and user experience design.

Challenges We Ran Into

One of the major challenges we encountered was ensuring seamless integration with ONDC APIs for data exchange and interoperability. We also faced difficulties in creating a dynamic pricing model that maximizes value for sellers while keeping goods affordable for buyers. Additionally, building a real-time inventory system that accurately reflects available surplus food required careful coordination with our partner businesses.

Accomplishments That We're Proud Of

We’re proud of successfully creating a platform that addresses food waste and affordability while supporting local businesses. Integrating with ONDC to broaden our network was a significant achievement, as was developing a user-friendly app that offers personalized recommendations and dynamic pricing. Most importantly, we’re proud of how Thrift Pantry can make a real impact by contributing to a more sustainable and eco-friendly food system.

What We Learned

Through this project, we learned the importance of collaboration and adaptability. Working with various stakeholders, from businesses to NGOs, taught us how to balance different needs and expectations. We also gained valuable insights into supply chain management, data-driven decision-making, and the complexities of dynamic pricing. These lessons have been instrumental in refining our approach and improving the platform.

What's Next for Thrift Pantry

Looking ahead, we plan to expand Thrift Pantry by onboarding more businesses and increasing our reach through further integration with ONDC. We aim to enhance the platform’s capabilities with advanced analytics, offering even more personalized recommendations and waste reduction insights to our users. Ultimately, our vision is to scale Thrift Pantry to become a key player in the fight against food waste and hunger, making sustainable living accessible to all.

Built With

• ci/cd-tools-(jenkins
• docker
• express.js
• frontend:-react-native-(or-flutter)
• github-actions)-payment-integration:-razorpay-(or-paypal)-ondc-integration:-ondc-apis-other-tools:-git
• javascript/typescript
• jira
• kubernetes
• mongodb-(or-postgresql)-ai/ml:-python
• postman
• redux-backend:-node.js
• scikit-learn-cloud/devops:-aws-(or-google-cloud)
• tensorflow-(or-pytorch)