Morgan Berman was living in West Philadelphia when she experienced what she calls her "first burst of sustainability consciousness," and began attempting to live a life that was aligned with her newfound values.
She joined a neighborhood food co-op, took a job as
Grid magazine's director for community engagement, and slowly became more involved in the local sustainability scene.
"But there wasn't a central hub where I could go and understand what sustainability means," recalls Berman. "It didn't feel like anyone had quite created the tool that people need to answer their quick questions about [sustainable living]."
Berman's new app for Android and iOS,
MilkCrate, aims to fill that void -- initially here in Philadelphia, and if the app takes off, nationally.
Described by its nine-person team
as a digital hub for sustainability, MilkCrate currently exists as a database-style listings service -- not unlike Yelp -- with a collection of more than 1,600 Philly-area businesses that operate sustainably and promote economically responsible practices.
"Everything from fashion to food to furniture [to] energy," explains Berman in a video created for the app's current crowdfunding campaign. "Anything you could possibly want that fits into your local, sustainable lifestyle."
At the moment, MilkCrate-approved businesses are organized in both listings and map layouts. But with the infusion of the $20,000 Berman hopes to raise through an
Indiegogo campaign (launched on August 25), users will be able to write reviews, add news businesses, and search by keyword and neighborhood.
Perks for campaign funders include MilkCrate T-shirts and tickets to the app's upcoming launch party.
Click here to donate.
Writer: Dan Eldridge
Source: Morgan Berman, MilkCrate