"There is food for everyone on this planet, but not everyone eats"
- Carlo Petrini
Did you know that the average family in the USA throws out $1,600 worth of groceries every year? That's more than $408 BILLION dollars in one country alone!
I'm certainly guilty of finding wilted spring mix and moldy bread laying around. I wanted to find a way to keep track of everything I have on hand to be able to remember it all and plan meals around what I've already got. I came up with this super simple PDF solution that has been helping plan meals, save money, and reduce waste. It's also great for those times when you're too tired to think about what to eat, and end up turning to takeout instead.
I keep my fridge inventory in a plastic page protector so I can make it reusable with a dry erase marker. Things like produce, dairy, and meat go into my perishables section, and I always take a look when I'm planning my meals. I also have a spot to jot down healthier snacks that we can grab so we don't automatically turn to chips or cookies!
In the freezer meals and pantry meals, I write down all of the meals that are ready to go anytime. Frozen meals can be taken out in the morning and heated up in the evening on busier days, and pantry meals can be put together quickly when we don't have anything ready, but don't want to go to the grocery store.
Having everything visible has helped me make the most of my groceries and feel less overwhelmed in my kitchen. If you want to avoid dealing with those bruised apples and green cheddar cheese, give it a try!
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