Diversion Tracker App user guide

If you have been provided with a 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.

Installing the 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 the top right and tap “Shared With Me”
   
5. Tap “Accept” for Google Drive access request
   
6. To add a shortcut to the Diversion Tracker App to your device’s home screen, tap the menu on the top left and tap “Add Shortcut”
7. Tap the button on the bottom middle of the screen
   
8. Scroll down, and select “Add to Home Screen”
   

Watch this quick video to see how to record donation data in the Diversion Tracker App

Alternatively, follow these step by step instructions:

1. Group the donation boxes by department (Bakery, Dairy, Deli, Meat/Seafood, Produce, Grocery)
2. Open the FoodMesh Diversion Tracker App
3. Click the “Donation Entry” 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. 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.
   4. 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.
   5. Click Save
7. Repeat steps 5-7 until all the boxes have been weighed.

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 Donation Entry 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

Below is a list of example products according to the department they belong to:

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.

Non-food

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. 

How to track donations offline

If you don’t have access to the Diversion Tracker App during your donation pick up, please write down the weights of the donations by department, the destination and the date of the pick up on a piece of paper. We have also created these offline tracking sheets for you to print out and keep in your vehicle, in case this would be useful to you.

FoodMesh Offline Donation Tracking Sheet – Donation Weights (PDF)

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

Please add the information to the Diversion Tracker App as soon as your access has been restored.

To help remind your volunteers about when to input donation data into the Diversion Tracker App, we have created a poster for you to print and hang in your facility:

Download the poster