Diversion Tracker App user guide

If you have FoodMesh tablet, follow the instructions below.

The tablet needs a Google account associated with it. We recommend creating a new one for use with the Diversion Tracker App since the tablet and app will have full access to all the Google services on the Google account. Before logging in, we will need to grant your email address access to the app, so please email us with your name and Organization name (if applicable) to support@foodmesh.ca.

1. Login to the tablet PIN is 6374 (MESH).
2. Setup Wi-Fi.
   1. Click the Settings app.
   2. Select Connections from the left menu bar.
   3. Click Wi-Fi button.
   4. Select your Wi-Fi network and enter the connection details. Use the store’s Wi-Fi or your Wi-Fi at your facility. Make sure to click Auto Reconnect so that the tablet automatically connects to the Wi-Fi each time it wakes up.
3. Add your Google account.
   1. Click the Settings app.
   2. Select Cloud and Accounts from the left menu bar.
   3. Click the Accounts button.
   4. Click the Add Account button.
   5. Click the Google button.
   6. If you have already created a Google account for the tablet then log in now. Otherwise click the Create Account link on the bottom left and follow the prompts.
   7. Follow the prompts to configure your Google account on the tablet. Select the default options for each step.
4. Tap on the pear icon for Diversion Tracker App.

The tablet is now configured for use.

In order to log into the Diversion Tracker app you will need a Gmail address or an email linked to a google account. Before logging in, we will need to grant your email address access to the app, so please email us with your name and Organization name (if applicable) to support@foodmesh.ca.

If your organization will have multiple people accessing the App with this login, we recommend creating an email address specifically for the app as volunteers will need access to the password.

Install Diversion Tracker App

1. Download and Install AppSheet from App Store or Google Play
2. Tap “Allow” for notifications and camera access request
3. Log in with your FoodMesh Google Account above
4. Once logged in, Select “Diversion Tracker App” If it doesn’t appear tap the menu at top right and tap “Shared With Me”
   
5. Tap “Accept” for Google Drive access request
   
6. Tap the menu on the top right and tap “Add Shortcut”

FoodMesh Identification Protocol

This process protects your food donations from being given away to unknown third parties. Please ensure any drivers or volunteers are aware of this identification protocol before going to the store.

Only FoodMesh Verified charities will be given donations at the stores. If you do not follow these identification protocols, the store will turn you away.

Charity Identification Protocol

To ensure that store staff are aware of who is receiving donated products, FoodMesh verified charities must follow the identification protocol below:

1. Verbal ID: Charities will identify themselves as part of the FoodMesh program – “I’m here for the FoodMesh donation pickup”.
2. Digital ID: Charities will display the FoodMesh Verified digital ID on their phone when they arrive at the store. The digital ID can be accessed through the Diversion Tracker app by clicking on the menu (the three stacked lines in the top left hand corner) and selecting ID Badge from the menu.
   
3. FoodMesh Lanyard: Charities will wear the FoodMesh lanyard so they are identifiable in-store. Please let us know if you will need some extra lanyards.
   

To learn how to use the Diversion Tracker app to record donations, please watch this 5-minute video.

Donations are recorded in the Diversion Tracker App as follows:

1. Group the donation boxes by department (Bakery, Dairy, Deli, Meat/Seafood, Produce, Grocery)
2. Open the FoodMesh Diversion Tracker app
3. Click the “Tote Scan” button to view the donation scan table
4. Weigh the donation boxes by department (up to 6 boxes at a time) on the scale. The scale can weigh up to 400 lbs
5. Click the department button corresponding to the boxes being weighed
6. Record the details of the donation in the Diversion Tracker app:
   1. Enter the Weight from the scale (whole numbers only), ensuring the weight units (kg or lb) on the scale and app match.
   2. Choose the appropriate Destination – Charity for human edible, Farm for animal feed or Compost
   3. Take a Photo of the contents of the boxes
   4. Enter the number of boxes being weighed. The average weight of the boxes will automatically be subtracted so only the net weight of the food is tracked.
   5. Optional: enter any Notes as needed. This provides feedback to FoodMesh staff about any problems with the box packing such as cross-contamination, poor food quality, mixed-in trash, etc.
   6. Click Save
7. Repeat steps 5-7 until all the boxes have been weighed.

Recording food donations

1. Click the menu in the top left corner of the app
   
2. Click Set Backdate
   
3. Click the date you want to backdate to. You can choose up to 3 days in the past
   
4. Click on Tote Scan in the bottom menu. Note the menu text has been updated to tell you which day the scans will be backdated to
   
5. Once you’ve finished recording all your past donations, make sure to reset the backdate to today by following the same steps above

Recording farm weights (Bloom only)

1. Click on Farm Weight in the bottom menu
   
2. Click the + to create a new record
   
3. Note the pink icon and text that indicates the backdate that the entry will be recorded for
   
4. Complete the form entry and click Save
   
5. Note the pink backdate icon beside the new record to indicate it was recorded for a date in the past
   

Bakery

Bread, buns, bulk-bin buns and rolls, cookies, muffins, pastries, cakes, creamed cakes, etc.

Dairy

Milk, cream, yogurt, sour cream, kefir, cheese, plant-based milk, plant-based yogurt, refrigerated juice, eggs, etc.

Deli

Prepared meals (sandwiches, mixed salads, hot meals, cold meals), cold cut deli meats, preserved dry/hard meats, commercially packaged meats, deli cheeses, dips, etc.

Grocery

Dry goods:  cereals, grains, legumes, pasta, flour, spices, bottled seasonings, canned items, snacks, beverages, candies, chocolates, cookies, chips, etc.

Meat and Seafood

Raw meat: beef, lamb, pork, veal, poultry, chicken, turkey, ground meat, sausages, bacon, meat alternatives*, seafood, fish, etc.

Produce

Fresh fruits and vegetables, salad mixes, pre-cut fruits and vegetables, single-serve juice, refrigerated salad dressings, etc.

Other

Non-food items: paper towels, cleaning products, flowers, pet food, etc.

*Meat alternatives are often found in different departments depending on the store, such as in Meat, Produce, and Deli departments. 

Encountering technical problems with the tablet or app? Here are a few things you can check:

1. Check your Wi-Fi
Are you connected to the Wi-Fi? Is your Wi-Fi signal strong? Disable and enable the Wi-Fi to reset the connection.

2. Check the battery of the tablet
Does the tablet have sufficient battery charge? Make sure to plug in the tablet on a regular basis.

3. Sync the app
To Sync the app, tap on the circular arrow at the top right corner. If there are entries yet to be synced, there will be a small red number in the top right hand side of the app window. Tap the circular arrow again to sync. If you are in a Wi-Fi area and the app is not syncing, please contact our support team at support@foodmesh.ca. or call 1-844-888-6374 (MESH).

4. Restart the app
To restart the tablet, hold down the power button until you see the option to restart the device. Tap restart.

5. Delete old photos from the photo album on the tablet
The tablet saves all the photos taken via the app, which could slow down the tablet and app.

To delete all photos on your device, tap on the tablet’s Photo Album app (Gallery). Once the Gallery app is open, click on Albums at the bottom. Click and hold on an album until a small circle appears and then apply a check mark by selecting the circle. Select all Albums you wish to delete from and then select the Trash icon. Once all the photos have been moved to the Trash, the trash will then need to be emptied.

6. Close other apps
Are there too many apps open on the tablet at once? Close other apps that are running in the background. Hold the Home button on the tablet until the Task Manager app appears. Close the apps you are not currently using by tapping their “X” icon.

Still experiencing challenges?
If you are still encountering technical issues with the tablet or app, please do not hesitate to reach out to FoodMesh Support:

Email: support@foodmesh.ca
Call: 1-844-888-6374 (MESH)
Text: 604-330-8614

Offline Donation Tracking Sheet

In case you are in the area Wi-Fi is not available or do not have access to the Diversion Tracker App, have these tracking sheets ready in your vehicle so that you can take notes of the weights and enter in the app once the app is up and running.

FoodMesh Offline Donation Tracking Sheet – Donation Weights (PDF)

FoodMesh Offline Donation Tracking Sheets – Farm Weights (PDF) – Bloom only

Best Practice Guidelines

These are the Best Practice Guidelines we distribute to the stores for your reference.

Best Practice Guidelines – Bloom

Best Practice Guidelines – Sprout