Stock up now before everything becomes expensive
Matthias Schmid
October 26, 2023
What can smart inventory management look like?
Smart stockpiling requires careful planning and should be thoroughly considered. It is advisable to proceed strategically. This also prevents the senseless waste of food. For example, if you buy lentils in bulk and no one in your family likes them, you will eventually throw them away. First, you should make a list of the food items you absolutely need, such as water, pasta, and other staples. Then add other daily necessities (this is where toilet paper comes into play) and, of course, medications. If you have pets, you should not forget about them either. Also consider setting aside some emergency cash. Clever stockpiling provides you with security in uncertain times and the assurance that you, your family, and your pets are well taken care of when it really matters.
The storage of the stock
An important aspect is proper storage. You should use containers that are also suitable for the respective food items. Another important factor is the expiration date. Here our Pantry.App can help you. Simply scan the respective food item's barcode and enter the expiration date. If it's about to expire, our app will notify you and you can process the product. Afterwards, of course, you should not forget to restock your supply.
In general, you should store your food in a cool, dark, and dry place. Some foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, can be kept in the refrigerator. However, this does not apply to all! Dry foods, like rice and pasta, should be stored in airtight containers to keep out moisture and pests. Canned goods often have a very long shelf life as long as the cans are not damaged.
When is the ideal time to go shopping for stocking up on supplies?
As paradoxical as it sounds, you should go shopping when there is no urgent need. There's a good reason for this: It means you go to the supermarket and/or discount store without pressure and in peace. Before you start, you should make a list of the groceries for which you want to stock up. By the way, this can also be done digitally in the Speisekammer.App.
Pay attention to special offers and discounts that can make your shopping more economical. Moreover, it can be a wise decision to regularly use up your stock and then replenish it to ensure it stays fresh for as long as possible. By the way, stockpiling is not only sensible during times of crisis. It also provides security when unexpected events occur, such as an illness. Who hasn't been laid up on the couch with a cold only to suddenly realize there's nothing left to eat at home.
What food items should never be missing from any supply?
When selecting food for your supply, versatility is key. Moreover, the products should be suitable for your needs and, if applicable, for those of your family. This includes non-perishable foods such as rice, pasta, dried beans, canned goods, flour, and sugar. You should also consider long-lasting dairy products like milk powder and some types of cheese. Fruits and vegetables in cans or freeze-dried form are a good source of vitamins. You can also preserve fruit or vegetables by canning or jarring. Dried fruits and nuts are great snacks with a long shelf life. The selection of food should also be based on individual dietary needs, such as special diets or allergies. Water is extremely important for a supply. As already mentioned above, do not forget your pets.
Why stockpiling can be financially worthwhile
Stockpiling food can also be a wise decision from a financial perspective. By purchasing groceries in advance when they are inexpensive (for example, the price of fruit can vary greatly) or on sale, you can save money in the long run. Moreover, having a supply allows you to save money during 'harder times' or when faced with unexpected expenses, since you already have a certain provision of basic food items.
The best kitchen tools to turn leftovers into delicious dishes 🍲✨
Hand on heart: Each of us has them – those little leftovers in the fridge or pantry that somehow never get properly planned for. But it's exactly these remnants that can often be turned into the most creative and delicious dishes! All you need are a few clever kitchen tools that make the work easier and get the best out of your ingredients.
Here are our favorites:
🥣 1. The powerful blender
Smoothies, soups, dips – a good blender transforms leftover vegetables, fruit, or even bread into a new dish in seconds. Perfect when bananas are a bit brown or the vegetables no longer look crisp.
🔪 2. A sharp chef's knife
Sounds simple, but a really good knife is worth its weight in gold. It allows you to cut vegetable and meat scraps precisely and quickly. Moreover, cooking is just more fun when you have the right tools.
🍳 3. A cast iron skillet
The all-rounder in the kitchen: fried potatoes made from leftover boiled potatoes, frittatas with yesterday's vegetables, or crispy bread cubes from stale bread – everything tastes twice as good in a cast-iron skillet.
🥕 4. Vegetable Peeler & Grater
A modest tool with a big impact: grate carrot leftovers, turn zucchini into noodles, or finely shred cheese remnants. With a peeler and grater, you bring variety to your leftover cooking.
🥡 5. Storage Containers & Screw-top Jars
Without proper storage, nothing works. You can keep leftovers fresh, transport them, or even prepare them for the next meal prepping. Tip: Jars are also great for serving small amounts in style.
🌱 6. Kitchen Scale
It's practical to know exactly how much is left over, especially with leftovers. This way, you can adjust recipes and avoid waste.
🥄 7. Personal Blender
The little brother of the blender – perfect for soups or sauces right in the pot. When only a small amount needs to be processed, it's super convenient.
How Smantry additionally helps you 📲
With the Smantry App you can not only keep an eye on your supplies, but soon you'll also be able to discover recipes for your leftovers. This way, you'll immediately know which tool to take out of the cupboard to save your food and create something new.
👉 Because good tools and the right app are the perfect combo to combat food waste.
New laws on food waste in Spain
Spain has recently passed a groundbreaking law to combat food waste. This law requires all actors in the food chain, from producers to retailers, to implement specific plans to prevent food loss.
Key provisions of the law:
Obligation to donate surplus food: Supermarkets with a floor space of more than 1,300 square meters are now required to form partnerships with non-profit organizations to donate surplus food that is still fit for consumption. These donations are exempt from value-added tax.
Offer of packaging for leftover food: Restaurants and bars are required to provide their guests with free, reusable or recyclable packaging so that they can take home uneaten food. The aim is to raise consumer awareness of food waste and encourage them to take leftovers with them.
Promotion of the sale of products with approaching expiration dates: Retailers should offer products that are nearing their expiration date or have aesthetic defects at reduced prices to encourage their sale and reduce waste.
Hierarchy of priorities for dealing with surplus food: The law establishes an order for handling surplus food. Priority is given to human consumption through donations. If this is not possible, the food should be used for the production of processed products. The last options include using it as animal feed or for energy generation.
Sanctions for violations:
Companies that violate the provisions of the law can expect fines ranging from 2,000 to 500,000 euros.
Critique and Outlook:
While the law is considered an important step in the fight against food waste in Europe, there is also criticism. Some voices argue that the strict framework of sanctions could disproportionately burden companies and that the law does not sufficiently address the role of consumers, who are responsible for a significant portion of food waste.
Nevertheless, the law is seen as a significant advancement in reducing food waste and promoting a more sustainable awareness in society.
Join in and reduce food waste! 🌱📲
Spain's new law demonstrates: Sustainability starts in the pantry! With the Speisekammer App you can keep track of your groceries, plan meals efficiently, and avoid unnecessary waste.
👉 Download the app now and join the movement for less waste and more conscious consumption! 💚 Try it now!
Sharing supplies together – why the Shared Economy is now moving into the kitchen
The concept of Shared Economy has long been more than a short-term trend – it's changing our everyday lives. More and more neighborhoods, shared apartments, and community projects are discovering how practical it is to organize groceries together and manage supplies transparently.
Why sharing supplies is becoming increasingly popular
- Save on costs: Bulk purchases become cheaper when more people participate.
- Save space: Not everyone needs their own package of rice or pasta.
- Better organization: Digital tools make it easy to see what is available.
- Experiencing community: Food brings people together – as does camping together.
From the flatshare to the neighborhood
Especially in shared apartments or families with multiple households it pays off to keep a communal stock of supplies. But neighborhood projects or small communities are also recognizing the added value: shopping, storing, and using together.
How Smantry helps
This is where Smantry comes into play:
- Community Feature: Supplies can be managed collectively.
- Transparency: Everyone can see which items are available.
- Efficiency: Duplicate purchases are avoided, leftovers are used up in time.
- Flexibility: Soon it will become even easier to manage entire communities (including new features such as categories or the option to completely delete communities).
👉 The shared economy doesn't stop with cars – it moves right into your kitchen. With Smantry sharing supplies becomes easier than ever.
At last, it's here: The categorization of articles 🎉
Over the past few months, we have collected numerous feedback from you – and the request for better organization of supplies was one of the most frequent wishes. Soon, it will be possible to sort your items into individual categories, so that you can keep track of everything even more quickly.
Why categories are so practical
- 🥦 More organization in your pantry: Instead of a long list, you can structure your products into categories such as "Vegetables", "Beverages", or "Household Goods".
- ⏱️ Faster Finding: No more long scrolling – jump straight to the right category.
- 👨👩👧👦 Improved collaboration: In communities or family households, everyone can immediately see where things belong.
- 🌍 Customization: You can create your own categories that suit your needs – whether for meal prep, stockpiling, or just your everyday life.
Your wish will become reality ✨
We know how important this feature is to you. That's why our development team has implemented categorization as a high priority. It will soon be available step by step in the app – fulfilling one of the biggest wishes of our community.
We are thrilled that we can make everyday life even easier for you with this. Stay tuned – as always, we will keep you updated on when the feature will be officially released.
👉 Do you already have ideas on how you want to structure your categories? Feel free to send us your suggestions or requests – your input might directly influence the ongoing development.