When it comes to iPhone apps, I am cheap. Why pay for something when there is usually a free alternative? So I surprised even myself when I purchased Locavore for $3.99.
Developed by Buster McLeod and designed by Matt Hickey, Locavore finds your location and provides you with a list of fruits and vegetables that are currently in season plus others that will be in season soon. Additionally, the application features local farmer’s markets and a social networking aspect.
I downloaded this application because I thought it would assist with helping to choose the right foods in the grocery store. That aspect is lost on me right now because I’ve been hitting up the Farmer’s markets in California. However, it is nice to look at and see which fruits and vegetables are almost out of season. This allows me to make sure I buy those and get my fill before they’re gone until next year. This application was also helpful since I just moved to the bay area. It gave me a list of all the local farmer’s markets with their websites.
I could also see this application being helpful for those with CSA boxes. There were a few times in Boston where I had difficulty identifying some produce contained in my bi-weekly delivery. Locavore would have allowed me to see what was locally in season and use process of elimination to determine the unknown item.
Ease-of-Use:
It’s just about idiot-proof. The phone locates your position and tells you what’s in season. Strawberries are in season? Awesome, they’re one of my favorite fruits.
UI:
The interface is clear and organized. The pie slices act like a timer, showing you how long before the item will no longer be locally produced.
I also like that clicking on the produce gives you further information, including where else the item is available and for how long (who knew Kohlrabi was grown in 7 states?!)
One of the smartest features is globe icon in the bottom right. When clicking more information, the website is embedded in the application and you’re not automatically booted to Safari (which really annoys me sometimes all the time). You have control over whether or not you want to leave the application.
Gripes:
How necessary is the Facebook connect? I’m pretty sure all my friends are annoyed by the copious amounts of Twitter updates that dominate their news feed. I understand it spreads the “let’s eat local” love, but do they really want to read about every morsel I put in my mouth? I’m not that interesting. Now if Martha had joined, maybe people would pay attention, but even the Domestic Diva called Facebook “dippy“.
Improvements:
Locavore should hop on the push notification bandwagon. I might be busy and forget blueberries are on their way out. A notification once the pie reaches the red reminding me to buy a stockpile before the price skyrockets would be fantastic.
Final Verdict:
It’s a good, clean, well-built application with little-to-no bugs. If you’re a total local-food-only person, it would be worth the $3.99 to have that information right at your fingertips. If they lowered the price and added push-notifications, I would recommend this application to more individuals. Until then, try Google.
