MEALers connect

A streamlined platform connecting food donors, volunteers, and orphanages to eliminate food waste and fight hunger.

Prerequisites

• Node.js (v18 or higher recommended)
• npm (comes with Node.js)

Getting Started

1. Install Dependencies

   Open a terminal in the project root directory and run:

   npm install

2. Configure Environment Variables

   This application uses Google Gemini API for AI features (food safety, mapping) and Firebase for OTP authentication.

   • Create a new file named .env in the root directory.
   • Copy the contents from .env.example and fill in your actual keys.

   # Google Gemini API
   API_KEY=your_google_gemini_api_key
   
   # Firebase Config (Optional - For Real OTP)
   FIREBASE_API_KEY=your_firebase_api_key
   FIREBASE_AUTH_DOMAIN=your_project.firebaseapp.com
   FIREBASE_PROJECT_ID=your_project_id
   FIREBASE_STORAGE_BUCKET=your_project.appspot.com
   FIREBASE_MESSAGING_SENDER_ID=your_sender_id
   FIREBASE_APP_ID=your_app_id

   Simulation Mode: If you do not provide Firebase keys (or leave them as placeholders), the app will automatically run in Simulation Mode. OTPs will be mocked and displayed in an in-app notification for testing purposes.

3. Run the Application

   Start the local development server:

   npm run dev

4. Open in Browser

   Navigate to the URL displayed in your terminal (usually http://localhost:5173).

Building for Production

To create an optimized build for deployment:

npm run build

The output will be generated in the dist folder.