Platform and Price
iPad only, free with in-app purchases starting at $2.99
RD Score
2 out of 5
Synopsis of the App 222 Million Tons is a meal planning tool that delivers weekly menus and shopping lists designed to use up perishables to minimize food waste. The app encourages sustainable food practices from shopping to cooking.
Pros
Provides meal plans to minimize food spoilage and waste.
Recipe collections are themed to keep the user engaged. For example, the “Bright & Bold” collection features meals with bright and bold colors, flavors and textures.
Free 1-week preview of the “Bright and Bold” recipe collection.
Easily scale recipes to serve one to eight people.
Shopping lists are easy to manage and specific, even to the level of produce ripeness.
Easily email shopping lists from the app.
Adjust the starting weekday for meal plans based on the family’s shopping habits.
No advertisements.
Cons
App assumes you will cook the recipes in order throughout the week.
Doesn’t include recipes for breakfast or lunch.
Lengthy shopping lists may result in waste for smaller families.
App needs to be updated. The news section’s latest entry is from July 2012.
App is available on iPad only which may not be as convenient as a phone for supermarket trips.
Bottom Line
This preview gives a good overview of what the 222 Million Tons app has to offer. A good idea in theory, the 222 Million Tons app may help you save money, time and gas while reducing food waste and creating a more sustainable kitchen. However, to get more value it may be worth waiting until the next version of the app before downloading.
Marisa Moore, MBA, RDN, LD, is based in Atlanta and specializes in culinary nutrition, communications and consulting. She blogs at marisamoore.com. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter.
