Written by Davidson College student, Clara Hudson ’28
If there’s one thing Davidson College does not lack, it’s free food.
Maria Jose Sarabia Vargas ’28, Isabella Crescente Martinelli ’29, Esther Laker ’27, Zainab Sawani ’28, and Rainul Hakim ’29 recognized the abundance of leftover food on campus, ultimately leading to food waste, and were determined to find a solution. Each team member came to the table with a shared interest in sustainability and a desire to address a real problem at Davidson. The idea began with the team’s interest in “Too Good To Go,” a mobile app that reduces food waste by offering leftover food at a discounted price. They wanted to bring a similar concept to Davidson, but with a unique twist.
Left No Crumbs! aims to reduce food waste and food insecurity on Davidson’s campus. With frequent catered events, excess food is almost inevitable, yet much of it goes to waste simply because students don’t know it exists. Left No Crumbs! solves this problem by alerting students to free food on campus, ensuring more meals are shared instead of discarded. The team is currently working through the technical steps to integrate the platform into Davidson One and WildcatSync. As Zainab explains, the initiative “bridges the gap” between students seeking more meal options on campus and the catered food that is available but wasted.
This idea came to life when the team won the 2025 fall IdeaSprint, hosted by the Davidson Entrepreneurship Club and the Hurt Hub@Davidson. After a month of planning, multiple rounds of revisions, and mentorship, Left No Crumbs! came together in time for the IdeaSprint showcase. Most team members are involved in the Davidson Entrepreneurship Club, and everyone was excited to participate. The competition consisted of interactive tables where teams shared their ideas with attendees. Zainab describes the experience as “a perfect way to start” for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, as it is low-stakes yet highly collaborative and innovative. Winning the audience vote meant the world to this team because it affirmed both the importance of the issue and the potential of their solution.
With the IdeaSprint funding, Left No Crumbs! will be able to effectively market their start-up and complete its integration with Davidson One and WildcatSync upon working with T&I. Students will soon be able to sign up for push notifications that share when and where leftover food is available, and how long it will be out. The team also aims to partner with campus clubs, organizations, and eating houses to ensure that all leftover food reaches as many students as possible. By redistributing excess food, the start-up not only reduces waste but also relieves event organizers of the burden of throwing food away.
Zainab reflects that IdeaSprint gave her and her team a rewarding opportunity to push, grow, and challenge themselves while thinking together creatively. She encourages all Davidson College students to get involved in an IdeaSprint competition, calling it a “bucket list item before graduating from Davidson.” For this team, IdeaSprint was more than a competition. It was a first step toward creating meaningful, real-world change.
