to think I am not the only one who has a list of fresh food in the fridge and use by dates

[chomalungma]

I haven't got a freezer - so it's fresh food only.

Me and DS - I have a mixture of fresh and cooked meat as well as vegetables. All organised in the fridge. A list of items and use by dates - including some well preserved food.

Just disappointed I couldn't get a large chicken today - I love the MN chicken.

I was tempted to do a colour coded spreadsheet - but that would have been a bit excessive.

I haven't done the tinned food yet - maybe that could go on a spreadsheet.

Am I the only one :)

No, I've seen it a lot on twitter. For cupboard food as well.

I hope it sticks after this and we all try and avoid food waste like we are now.

I have a list of all our food, tinned, frozen the lot. I am desperately trying to beat use every morsel of food. We have made sure we have enough for a about 10 days at a time, not including fresh stuff like fruit as obviously that won't last that long in case we go to full isolation through sickness. We could stretch to the two weeks. I have a two year old though who obviously doesn't understand so every time he squashes a banana or spreads rice over the floor I find it hard not to lose my temper...

We're almost out of fresh but everything is stacked in order of dates and food type so we know what the next thing to eat needs to be.

I think it's just sensible...although a spreadsheet might be a sign you're enjoying the organising bit too much

I used to love when Ocado sent you a paper receipt with your order as it listed the use by dates for everything you bought! I'd stick it to the front of the fridge.

I actually mentioned it last night to DH as I'm considering writing one out so we don't have anything not getting used up by accident. Going to do it now

I do a menu every week based on whatever food I have (or managed to get) and what the use-by dates are. I'm trying to avoid using cupboard stuff, as I don't know when I might need it in the future! Not that I have that much.

I think it's just sensible...although a spreadsheet might be a sign you're enjoying the organising bit too much

I love my spreadsheets. I should even do a warning system so it automatically goes from Green, Amber and Red - when the date is about to expire.

Gets a life

I haven't got an actual written list but I have noted dates in my head my meals are planned accordingly so last week I knew baked potatoes was Tuesday as the cream cheese and coleslaw wouldn't last much beyond that, soup was Wednesday because the the bread was needed for it (I had counted out what slices were for what, Noodles was Thursday as the date on them was Friday etc.

DD and I made a database today having done a stock take. I think it was educational and now we have a printed list by the fridge.

I'm trying to avoid using cupboard stuff, as I don't know when I might need it in the future

DS is struggling with the idea of rationing. We have the self isolation supplies but the Hula Hoops keep going down

DD and I made a database today

A database you say......Opens Access

At mo shopping as usual, so no. Not needing bb/useby lists at mo.

Yes I've done this too.

Had a system failure yesterday though. I put the milk with the best date in the fridge door and of course it got opened first. Kicking myself for that rookie error.

If a spreadsheet makes you happy, why not 😂 my husband JUST tolerates my lists. I think if i produced a food spreadsheet he would be ringing the white coat brigade 😁

Kicking myself for that rookie error

I like the idea of a colour coded spreadsheet. You have given me ideas

no I pan what meals I am cooking but I open the fridge hunt down the use by date and if its still in date smells and looks alright it gets used if I take it out of the fridge and its rank it goes in the bin, but I don't buy a lot of fridge stuff I use a lot of frozen veg and tinned stuff anyway I buy packs of frozen meat and thaw only when I need it

chomalungma - think I'll follow the conditional formatting idea 're dates, easy to miss something at back of fridge or cupboard.
I did go through freezer earlier, it's just a small under worktop one but sorted into a shelf per food type (meat and fish, ready meals, , quick cook stuff \home made dinners then deserts and veg), as still out at work (NHS), so will plan out weeks meal so I know what I need to leave out to defrost each morning 😀

I don't have a physical list, but the meal plan currently has specific meals for specific dates to ensure things are used before they go off. I wouldn't normally be so vigorous. We do have a freezer, and things like meat and fish are in there, it's more the veg and dairy produce I'm trying to use.

We've got a database too. We've always had a freezer log and ”deep store” records now we've extended it to every item of food in the house.

DP is a spreadsheet/database addict.

I just have it in my head... everyone else must have gigantic fridges if they need a spreadsheet for what is in there!

Database? Spreadsheet? Going by use by dates? I think that I need to figure this wizardry out!
I’m still at work but DH and DS are at home and after Tuesday DH will have no work to do.

I've surprised myself at how I waste nothing now. The half carton of passata gets saved and homemade pizza planned for it; the half can of anchovies on the pizza are used up in baked peppers.

It's a rolling programme of meals, with everything planned for and used up, not ad hoc browsing in the supermarket. Even stale bread gets made into breadcrumbs and frozen.

I have now! We're hardly wasting any food now which is great. Didnt waste loads before but were nowhere near as cautious as we are at the moment!

I’ve always done this. Surely you’d eat food in the wrong order and have to throw food away if you didn’t?

Look up Jordan Page - Fun, Cheap or Free on YouTube and shelf cooking. She advocates this all the time you'll be with friends