UNiFOODi

Supported by F3, UNiFOODi is a student-led initiative at UC Merced dedicated to reducing campus food waste and addressing food insecurity among students. Founded by undergraduate students, AJ Heard, Daniel Guel, Daniel Becker, Evelyn Hernandez, and Gavin Alfaro, the initiative utilizes a digital pickup and drop-off system for surplus food on college campuses.

By integrating a Raspberry Pi with a live-streaming camera module, students can easily view available food in real time and collect it before it goes to waste. UNiFOODi aims to expand its impact to other institutions, fostering sustainability and community engagement nation wide.

Jujube and the Pits

Jujube and the Pits is an F3 supported group of mechanical engineering students collaborating with the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR) for their senior capstone project.

Their mission is to help UCANR tackle a unique challenge involving the jujube fruit—a lesser-known but promising fruit in the Central Valley. The primary focus of our project is to develop a machine that efficiently removes the seeds from jujubes while preserving as much fruit as possible, maintaining its freshness, and retaining its shape.

Due to the fruit’s complex shape, size variability, and the way the seed clings to the flesh, they have had to leverage everything they have learned throughout their engineering education. They are applying technical knowledge, creative thinking, and problem-solving skills.

CSE Capstone Cilantro Team