RipeNearMe is a website dedicated to helping people connect to food and food producers, whether they are growers with excess produce they want to sell, trade, or share; or buyers looking for fresh, locally grown food. Growers post their food and pinpoint its location on a global map. Other users can then search for a type of food or see what’s growing in their local area. They can send a private message to the grower and subscribe to a food even when it’s not quite ready; they will receive an email notification when it’s ripe and ready to eat. Growers set their own price, can arrange to trade their produce for something else, or can give it away for free. Individuals can also post food growing on public land, such as wild berries.
RipeNearMe is a finalist for two international awards, AppMyCity and OuiShare Awards. Both of these awards recognize initiatives that are innovative and make it easier for people to practice a more sustainable lifestyle.