MercadoMap

MercadoMap is a mobile + web app that helps people reliably source Latin American ingredients locally—beyond the usual “try a Hispanic aisle” advice. Users search for specific items (aji amarillo paste, epazote, culantro, panela, queso fresco brands), see nearby stores that likely carry them, and get aisle hints, package photos, and price ranges. The app blends crowdsourced confirmations with lightweight AI to normalize ingredient names across countries and synonyms (e.g., “culantro” vs “recao”) and to reduce duplicate listings. Store owners can claim profiles, update inventory highlights, and post weekly specials. The MVP focuses on a handful of major metro areas where Latin grocers are dense, because nationwide coverage is unrealistic early on. Monetization is via store subscriptions for promoted placement and consumer premium for saved lists, alerts, and offline pantry lists.