About the Project

In Kazakhstan, many local stores, cafés, and bakeries face a significant challenge—what to do with unsold food at the end of each day. Not only does this result in financial losses, but it also leads to considerable food waste. Our project addresses both issues by creating a platform that enables these businesses to sell surplus food at discounted prices, benefiting both the stores and customers while promoting sustainability.

The Solution: A Multi-Platform App

We developed a web and mobile application that helps stores list their surplus food in real-time, offering it to customers at reduced prices. Customers can browse available food, place orders, and pick up items from local stores. On the business side, stores can manage their surplus inventory, track sales, and reduce food waste in the process.

Tech Stack

We first needed to decide on the tech stack. The project involved building three main components: a main application for customers, a CRM for stores to manage their orders, and a shared backend with a database. Given our small team and limited resources, we opted to develop a web app that could be compiled into iOS and Android apps, while also being PWA-ready. For the frontend, we chose Vue.js and Nuxt.js, and used Capacitor.js to compile the app for iOS and Android. For the backend, we selected Java Spring Boot with PostgreSQL.

When the tech stack was defined, I created designs for the main application and the stores CRM in Figma.

Main app screenshots

Stores CRM screenshots

Key Features of the App

1. Real-Time Food Listings: Powered by a Java Spring Boot API, the app dynamically displays surplus food from stores, with real-time updates from a PostgreSQL database.
2. Streamlined Ordering: Built with Vue.js and Nuxt.js, the app provides a smooth ordering experience. It can be compiled into native iOS and Android apps using Capacitor.js, ensuring cross-platform functionality.
3. Store Management Dashboard: Stores can easily manage surplus inventory and orders through a dedicated CRM, integrated directly with the app’s backend for real-time data synchronization.
4. Progressive Web App (PWA): The app is optimized as a PWA, ensuring offline functionality and quick load times for users in areas with unstable internet.

Promoting Sustainability

Beyond the technical aspects, this project is about making a real difference in reducing food waste and supporting local businesses. By providing an efficient platform for stores to sell surplus food and for customers to purchase at reduced prices, we aim to promote sustainability and reduce the environmental impact of food waste in Kazakhstan.