{"ID":2838028,"CreatedAt":"2026-06-01T04:54:23.091178241Z","UpdatedAt":"2026-06-01T04:54:23.091178241Z","DeletedAt":null,"paper_url":"https://arxiv.org/abs/2511.18483","arxiv_id":"2511.18483","title":"Optimal Meal Schedule for a Local Nonprofit Using LLM-Aided Data Extraction","abstract":"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.","short_abstract":"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 sched...","url_abs":"https://arxiv.org/abs/2511.18483","url_pdf":"https://arxiv.org/pdf/2511.18483v1","authors":"[\"Sergio Marin\",\"Nhu Nguyen\",\"Max\",\"Zheng\",\"Christina M. Weaver\"]","published":"2025-11-23T15:05:21Z","proceeding":"cs.CY","tasks":"[\"cs.CY\",\"math.OC\",\"stat.AP\"]","methods":"[\"Large Language Model\",\"Language Model\"]","has_code":false}