Teens Launch AI Website Grocery Genius to Combat Food Waste

Sumit Kothari, a 17-year-old from Virginia, recently introduced Grocery Genius, an AI-driven website designed to tackle food waste and assist families in utilizing what they have at home. The website offers tailored recipes based on pantry ingredients, monitors food inventory, and presents nutritional information.

Kothari was prompted to create this platform after noticing his family often struggled to make meals with the random ingredients they had. He shared, “After some digging, we found that many other families faced the same issue.” The site lets users input information about their food, after which the AI suggests three recipe ideas, along with tips on saving money and tracking nutrients, including calories.

One of its standout features is the “smart pantry,” which notifies users about food expiration dates, encouraging them to either use or donate items before they go to waste. Kothari pointed out the link between food waste and hunger, stating, “Some people waste food while others go hungry.” His travels in Africa, where he witnessed food scarcity firsthand, further inspired him to develop this tool.

Describing the website, Kothari said it serves as “the smartest assistant in the kitchen,” emphasizing that it provides everything necessary for cooking smarter. Registration is free, requiring just an email address. Christopher Tan, who leads the Food Bank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, mentored Kothari during the development of Grocery Genius. He noted, “There are many applications that can help families in need or those who contribute to us.”

Grocery Genius received recognition by securing second place in the National Congressional App Challenge, which encourages students to engage with coding and computer science. Kothari, who will be a senior at Ocean Lakes High School, plans to continue refining his app as he prepares for college next year, indicating a strong focus on user feedback for future improvements.