Rotate food so nothing goes to waste
At the bare minimum, write the month on everything and put new stuff at the back.
A pantry you never check becomes a pantry full of expired cans. First in, first out (FIFO) rotation keeps food fresh and saves money, and takes about 10 minutes a month.
YOU'LL NEED
- A marker
- Shelves you can reach the back of
- A simple list on paper or your phone
Instructions
- Date everything. Write the month and year bought on the top of every can and box in big numbers.
- New goes in the back. When you unpack groceries, slide the old items forward and put the new ones behind them.
- Eat from the front. Cook from the front of the shelf. Plan one pantry meal a week to keep things moving.
- Monthly 10-minute check. Scan for dents, bulges, rust and anything inside 3 months of its date. Use those first or donate them.
- Keep a count. Keep a simple tally of cans of beans, kg of rice and so on. Compare it to the calculator so you know where you stand.
TIPS
- Can rotation racks make FIFO automatic.
- Most "best by" dates are about quality, not safety. Bulging cans are the real danger.
Products to consider
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