Summary

In 14 weeks, explore the future of food preservation by breaking down the food cycle to identify where we could impact food waste.

Food waste is a huge problem that we face. Almost 40% of all food in the US goes to waste and every day and it has been found that food waste generated in the consumer (in-home) stage amounts to almost 23% of the overall waste.

By studying the users on how they purchase, their lifestyles and behaviors, how they discard and waste manage, we were able to gain a grasp on how to approach the problem that was simple to use and easy to implement.

Groundcloud hopes to alleviate this issue by implementing a a different method of produce storage and preservation. It does this in 2 stages:

1. Keeping the produce in sight. This reduced the users from overbuying, forgetting, and/or decaying.

2. Unlike refrigerators that use cold air to slow down the rate of decay, by hydrating and rejuvenating the produce to promote “growth” in order to preserve.

All information in this case study is my own.

The Challenge

The goals of this project was to understand the users and how they lived, how they ate, and how they shopped and create a MVP that could reduce/alleviate food waste. How can we change perceptions about the way that we can reduce food waste?

Dense urbanized cities have some of the highest food waste per population in the US. Targeting these metropolitan areas and the surrounding neighborhoods to reduce food waste.

Target locations : For the scope of this project, DTLA was chosen for the model target location

My Role

I lead the research phase and concept phase of the project. Running the preliminary/primary/secondary research, ethnographic and professional interviews/research, as well as leading the design team based on our insights and learning.

I worked on this project alongs with a graphic designer, environmental designer, and product designer.

Understanding our users

and their lifestyle

Key Findings: Most common reasons for food waste in the home

Key Findings: Most common food waste in the home

Why was this happening

Conventional refrigerators store produce in bins in the lower section of the unit to maintain the "crispest" possible taste. 

However, it is not well known that fruits and vegetables need different humidity.

The biggest problem that arose was that people tend to forget what they have in stock & this leads to overbuying, under-utilizing, and overall food waste when the produce doesn't look aesthetically pleasing.

Design brainstorming & conceptualizing the system

Identifying aeroponics as a possible technical application

Refrigeration vs Areoponics

The refrigerator uses cold air to slow down the rate of decay in produce increasing its lifespan.

Aeroponic technology allows the produce to “grow" and be preserved through natural means.

What this means for the user: 

Fresher produce & more appealing visually, healthier plants