Optimal Meal Schedule for a Local Nonprofit Using LLM-Aided Data Extraction

Fuente: arXiv
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Hauptverfasser: Marin, Sergio, Nguyen, Nhu, Max, Zheng, Weaver, Christina M.
Format: Preprint
Veröffentlicht: 2025
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author Marin, Sergio
Nguyen, Nhu
Max
Zheng
Weaver, Christina M.
author_facet Marin, Sergio
Nguyen, Nhu
Max
Zheng
Weaver, Christina M.
contents We present a data-driven pipeline developed in collaboration with the Power Packs Project, a nonprofit addressing food insecurity in local communities. The system integrates data extraction from PDFs, large language models for ingredient standardization, and binary integer programming to generate a 15-week recipe schedule that minimizes projected wholesale costs while meeting nutritional constraints. All 157 recipes were mapped to a nutritional database and assigned estimated and predicted costs using historical invoice data and category-specific inflation adjustments. The model effectively handles real-world price volatility and is structured for easy updates as new recipes or cost data become available. Optimization results show that constraint-based selection yields nutritionally balanced and cost-efficient plans under uncertainty. To facilitate real-time decision-making, we deployed a searchable web platform that integrates analytical models into daily operations by enabling staff to explore recipes by ingredient, category, or through an optimized meal plan.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2511_18483
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Optimal Meal Schedule for a Local Nonprofit Using LLM-Aided Data Extraction
Marin, Sergio
Nguyen, Nhu
Max
Zheng
Weaver, Christina M.
Computers and Society
Optimization and Control
Applications
We present a data-driven pipeline developed in collaboration with the Power Packs Project, a nonprofit addressing food insecurity in local communities. The system integrates data extraction from PDFs, large language models for ingredient standardization, and binary integer programming to generate a 15-week recipe schedule that minimizes projected wholesale costs while meeting nutritional constraints. All 157 recipes were mapped to a nutritional database and assigned estimated and predicted costs using historical invoice data and category-specific inflation adjustments. The model effectively handles real-world price volatility and is structured for easy updates as new recipes or cost data become available. Optimization results show that constraint-based selection yields nutritionally balanced and cost-efficient plans under uncertainty. To facilitate real-time decision-making, we deployed a searchable web platform that integrates analytical models into daily operations by enabling staff to explore recipes by ingredient, category, or through an optimized meal plan.
title Optimal Meal Schedule for a Local Nonprofit Using LLM-Aided Data Extraction
topic Computers and Society
Optimization and Control
Applications
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2511.18483