Part of Building

Shopping with dietary needs shouldn't feel like detective work.

I'm researching ways to make grocery shopping easier for people who keep kosher, halal, jhatka, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, allergy-conscious, or follow other food requirements.

Before building anything too big, I'm listening to real people about what actually happens in stores, delivery apps, restaurants, travel, and everyday food decisions.

This is early research — not a finished product yet.

What makes food shopping stressful?

Some of the things I'm trying to understand. If any of these feel familiar, I'd love to hear your story below.

Finding products that fit your needs

Understanding ingredient labels

Knowing which certifications matter

Avoiding unsafe substitutions

Shopping through delivery apps

Traveling or shopping in unfamiliar stores

Managing allergies or cross-contamination concerns

Explaining your needs to someone else shopping for you

Who I'd love to hear from

Your perspective is welcome. If you don't see yourself listed and still have a story, please share — this list isn't a fence.

  • Kosher shoppers
  • Halal shoppers
  • Jhatka shoppers
  • Vegan shoppers
  • Vegetarian shoppers
  • Gluten-free shoppers
  • Allergy-conscious families
  • People with medical dietary needs
  • Grocery delivery users
  • Caregivers shopping for someone else
  • Travelers trying to find safe food

What if shopping could adapt to you?

I'm exploring whether a future tool could help people check products, understand ingredients, compare options, avoid bad substitutions, and communicate dietary needs more clearly. But first, I want to understand the real problems from real people.

A note: Any future tool would be designed as a support layer — not a replacement for trusted certifying agencies, rabbis, halal authorities, doctors, allergists, or personal judgment.

Share your experience

Every story shapes what gets built. Take your time — none of these fields are required except your email.

💬 WhatsApp is the best way to reach Talya Simha. She replies there personally — usually within a day. Sharing your WhatsApp number (with country code) is strongly encouraged so she can follow up directly. You can also message her right now:

Would you be open to a short 10–15 minute conversation?
Would you like early updates if this becomes a tool?

Prefer to explain it conversationally?

If it's easier to talk through your experience, you can message Talya directly on WhatsApp.

This research project is part of Talya's Building page — a living collection of ideas, experiments, and tools being researched, tested, and built with real people in mind.


Local to Tucson? There's a companion research initiative focused specifically on kosher dining options in Tucson — same spirit, narrower scope.


Have a totally different idea you wish existed?