A Spring 2019 DLab Case Study
The Taste It, Don’t Waste It team worked on the problem of food waste in Boise. Food deemed inedible and thrown away has become a daunting issue, and one that does not seem very approachable.
Beyond saving money, individuals who are mindful not to waste food contribute to keeping the environment healthy. Yearly, food production uses a fourth of all US water, and hundreds of millions of acres of land. The team decided to focus on helping individuals, rather than food-related businesses, reduce food waste. They found that because so many regulations limit what businesses can do, it would be more effective to focus on households and individuals.
Throughout their research, the team found a common theme in people throwing their food away: lack of knowledge. With this in mind, they focused on the question “How might we inform families about reducing food waste in an interactive way?” The team designed an interactive workshop, along with a handout with recipes and information, including a QR code. Scanning the code lead to a digital copy of the handout the food waste team created, which included information and recipes to help reduce waste. They had two workshops, one at JUMP and the other at Whole Foods, and those who attended were highly engaged and enjoyed the workshop.
Design Team: Becca M., Georgia U., Lucian D., Maxine W.
