Innovation thrives in environments that challenge us to think differently, work collaboratively and tackle real-world problems. From October 4 to 6, Hack the Valley (HTV), a student led hackathon, brought together brilliant minds for a weekend focused on problem solving through transformative and innovative ideas under intense deadlines. The event’ s attendees included over 400 students from institutions across Canada, who were all united by their love of innovation and technology.
Among the participants were University of Toronto undergraduate students Isaac Picov, Peter Yoo, Jason Qian and Christian Rogers, who teamed up to develop a project that secured their win for the SDGs@UofT's challenge statement: How can we improve food security for marginalized communities through equitable sustainable practices?
Their winning project, REFRIDGE, is an AI-powered food manager and recipe recommender designed to help users track the contents of their fridges and discover recipes using leftover ingredients. By scanning their fridges with their phones, users add to a personalized database—the “Refrigerator”—that enables them to manage their food efficiently. REFRIDGE offers a novel approach to tackling food waste and streamlining the process of meal preparation.
The inspiration behind REFRIDGE stemmed from a relatable issue: “I had this problem where I would buy groceries, and a lot would end up expiring and not getting eaten. A lot of people experienced the same problem, and after doing some market research, I learnt that a significant amount of food goes to waste in Canada,” said Isaac Pivoc. “We wanted to do something that could help counteract this problem.”
The team realized that they were not alone in their struggles with food waste management. Overfilled grocery carts often lead to forgotten or spoiled items, which is most likely because people are unsure of what they can create using so little. REFRIDGE combats this by ensuring that users can make the most of their ingredients and promote sustainability in the kitchen.
The idea generation, however, was just the beginning. The team quickly realized that they had a long way to go to bring their idea to life. “We had to learn new coding languages, and our first time importing API was truly a learning curve,” said Peter Yoo. “It felt like we were short on time as we had a midterm to prepare for that happened right in the middle of the Hackathon.”
In an era of cutting-edge technological advancement, the journey of innovation demands determination and perseverance, which are principles that SDGs@UofT seeks to strengthen in our students. The REFRIDGE team embraced these principles as they navigated challenges like learning new coding languages, overcoming front-end development struggles, and coordinating tasks effectively under tight deadlines. As they shared, "Focusing on the process and having fun is more important than the results."
Looking ahead, the team envisions expanding REFRIDGE beyond academia to facilitate a real-world impact. By integrating with apps like MyFitnessPal or enhancing automation with AI, the app could revolutionize how we tackle food waste. The team’s vision is to turn REFRIDGE into a fully-fledged tool that supports sustainability with everyday use.
The journey of the REFRIDGE team underscored the importance of trial and error, teamwork, and the ability to hold steady in the "problem space" before jumping to solutions. Their story was a testament to the role of hackathons in fostering creativity, building communities, and preparing students for the challenges of tomorrow.
Our Student Advisory Committee played a pivotal role in shaping the problem statement for this year’s hackathon, with members like Noah Khan and Arjun Yanglem contributing their expertise on relevant topics in AI by leading a workshop hosted by Hack the Valley. By engaging trainees in meaningful ways, SDGs@UofT aims to inspire the next generation to transform bold ideas into provoking realities.
As we look toward the new year ahead, SDGs@UofT remains committed to empowering youth to drive innovation and tackle pressing global challenges. This aligns closely with SDG 8, which emphasizes youth employment and fostering innovation to develop sustainable solutions.
In a world full of possibilities, young innovators have the potential to drive meaningful change. By equipping youth with the tools and opportunities to think critically and create boldly, we can pave the way for a more sustainable future for all and advance the SDGs.
Follow the team to learn more about their journey:
Mara Uzomah is dedicated to contributing to impactful research and administrative efforts that support global sustainability goals. As an HBSc student pursuing a specialist degree in Cognitive Neuroscience and a minor degree in Linguistics, she brings a health and wellness oriented approach to advancing sustainable development. Currently serving as an Administration and Research Assistant at SDGs@UofT, Mara plays a key role in advancing initiatives related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Mara's prior experience working alongside healthcare professionals and patients as an Assistant Physician at North York Family Physicians After Hours Clinic equip her with the interpersonal, strategic, and management skills for being sucessful at SDGs@UofT. She brings a well-rounded skill set in organization, communication, and team collaboration, and is committed to expanding her expertise in sustainable development and research. Mara plans to continue exploring opportunities that align with her passion for bettering vulnerable communities and sustainable healthcare.
Angeline Elsted is an up and coming marketer. As a BBA candidate pursuing a specialist degree in Marketing with a minor in Economics, she has spent recent years pursuing her passion in marketing and project management roles. With her very first marketing role as a Marketing Associate in the Association of Accountancy (AOA), Angeline further climbed the ladder, becoming a Digital Media Director, and eventually the Vice President of Public Relations. As an active member in the community, she is always looking for new opportunities for her to diversify her experiences. Having had a few internship experiences, Angeline worked as a Digital Marketing Assistant with the University of Toronto Scarborough, where she was able to efficiently promote and boost student morale with the university name. She also had the opportunity to intern as a Marketing Co-op at Sanofi in the vaccine department, where she was able to expand her project management skill set to help the team in managing assets going out on a daily basis. Overall, these experiences allowed her to demonstrate her creativity and analytical skills and learn what goes on behind the scenes in the world of marketing.