Skip to content

MOW Delivery Platform - Overview

The MOW (Meals on Wheels) Delivery Platform is a comprehensive, modern system designed to streamline meal delivery operations for Meals on Wheels organizations. Built as a free and open-source solution, it replaces outdated systems with robust, scalable technology.

Project Mission

Empowering community care through technology by providing Meals on Wheels organizations with a reliable, secure, and user-friendly platform that ensures no one in need goes without meals.

System Architecture

The MOW platform consists of several integrated components:

Core Components

Infrastructure

  • Cloud Platform: AWS EC2 with Docker containerization
  • Database: PostgreSQL 17 with Redis caching
  • Monitoring: OpenTelemetry + Grafana observability stack
  • Security: JWT authentication, HTTPS, CSP headers
  • CI/CD: GitHub Actions with automated testing and deployment

Key Improvements Over Legacy System

Data Model Enhancements

  • Unlimited dietary restrictions per customer (vs. single restriction)
  • Multiple pets per customer (vs. single pet limitation)
  • Flexible recurrence patterns for meal schedules
  • Normalized data structure eliminating redundancy

Operational Features

  • Immutable historical reporting preserves accuracy over time
  • Enhanced volunteer management with flexible substitutions
  • Real-time route optimization with Google Maps integration

Technical Improvements

  • Configurable deployment for any organization
  • Modern security practices with proper CORS/CSRF protection
  • Scalable architecture supporting growth
  • API-first design enabling mobile applications

User Experience

For Volunteers

  • Mobile-first design for on-the-go route management
  • Easy substitution system for schedule flexibility
  • Offline capability for reliable delivery tracking

For Administrators

  • Comprehensive dashboard for operations oversight
  • Advanced reporting with historical data preservation
  • Customer management with unlimited dietary/pet tracking
  • Route optimization tools for efficient delivery

Development Approach

Modern Stack

  • Backend: Python 3.13 / Django 5.2 LTS
  • Mobile: Native iOS (Swift) and Android (Kotlin)
  • Database: PostgreSQL 17 with Redis caching
  • Infrastructure: Docker + AWS with Infrastructure as Code

Quality Assurance

  • Automated Testing: Unit, integration, and E2E tests
  • Code Quality: Automated linting and formatting
  • Security: Regular security audits and dependency updates
  • Performance: Load testing and monitoring

Collaboration

  • Open Source: MIT/Apache licensing for community contribution
  • Documentation: Comprehensive developer and user guides
  • Project Management: GitHub Issues and Projects
  • Community: Welcoming contributor guidelines

Current Status

Development Phase: Active development
Estimated Completion: December 2025
Current Version: Pre-release development

Completed Components

  • ✅ Backend API foundation and core models
  • ✅ Docker containerization and local development
  • ✅ CI/CD pipeline with GitHub Actions
  • ✅ Observability stack implementation
  • ✅ Security framework and authentication

In Progress

  • Mobile application development (iOS/Android)
  • Advanced reporting features
  • Admin dashboard completion

Upcoming

  • Beta testing with Meals on Wheels Charlottesville
  • Performance optimization and scaling
  • Documentation completion

Partnership & Community

Primary Partner

Meals on Wheels of Charlottesville/Albemarle
Providing More Than a Meal Since 1977

  • Serving 280+ clients in Charlottesville and Albemarle County
  • 300+ committed volunteers ensuring reliable delivery
  • Registered dietitian-guided meal planning
  • Essential wellness checks for vulnerable community members

Open Source Community

  • Developer-friendly contribution guidelines
  • Comprehensive documentation for all skill levels
  • Regular community calls for collaboration
  • Mentorship opportunities for new contributors

Impact Goals

Immediate Impact

  • Operational efficiency through automated workflows
  • Data accuracy with immutable historical records
  • Volunteer satisfaction through improved mobile experience
  • Administrative time savings via streamlined processes

Long-term Vision

  • Platform adoption by other Meals on Wheels chapters
  • Community ecosystem of contributors and users
  • Feature expansion based on real-world feedback
  • Sustainability model ensuring long-term maintenance

Next Steps:
- Developers: Start with Backend Development Setup
- Designers: Review Design System Guidelines
- Project Managers: Explore Project Roadmap
- Partners: Learn about Partnership Opportunities

For more information, visit our technology inventory or explore the project architecture.

< Home

Next: Project README >