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.

Why we never stop refining Smantry β¨
At Smantry, we don't believe in 'finished'.
An app that is meant to accompany people in their daily lives is never complete β it grows, changes, and evolves. Just like the people who use it. π
We regularly pay attention to every detail:
How does a click feel? Is the path to a function clear enough? Does the idea behind a new view come across intuitively?
Sometimes it's just tiny things that make the difference β a better-placed button, a simplified overview, or a sentence that suddenly becomes clearer.
What drives us is the idea that Smantry should feel easy, familiar, and meaningful.
We want you to open the app and feel: "Ah, this is exactly how it should work."
Of course, not everything always goes perfectly. But that's exactly the point: We take the time to listen, to observe, to reconsider. Every piece of feedback, every use case, every new idea helps us to understand a little better what really matters.
Smantry is not a rigid product for us β it's a living process. A collaborative project that grows step by step.
And every update, every small improvement is a sign that we are on the right track:
A path to an app that doesn't feel like technology, but like support.
Towards a daily life that becomes simpler. Towards clarity, structure β and maybe even a bit of ease. πΏ
We're staying on it.
Because we are convinced that good things take time β and that it's worth creating them with heart.
Your
Smantry-Team

π± Staying on track made easy: How to stay motivated to create order and avoid food waste
We all know it: Initially, the motivation is high! You finally want to get your kitchen organized, keep an eye on your supplies, and shop more consciously. But after a few weeks, everyday life creeps back in β and the good resolutions start to falter.
With Smantry we want to support you not only in getting started, but also in sticking with it in the long term. πͺβ¨
1. Be aware of why you are doing this
Order and sustainability are not short-term trends β they grant you freedom, time, and a good feeling. If you know why you want to keep your supplies in check or throw away less food, it becomes much easier to stay consistent.
π Tip: Write down your 'why' in the app note or as a reminder.
2. Set small, achievable goals
Nobody becomes an organizing pro overnight. Start small:
- Today I'm just organizing the spice rack.
- Check the fridge this week.
- On your next shopping trip, purposefully buy only what you really need.
Small steps lead to success β and success motivates!
3. Make it easy for yourself β with smart helpers
Smantry automatically reminds you of expiring products, helps you keep track of your inventory, and assists you with shopping. This way, you have to think less and can enjoy more.
π The less effort required, the easier it is to stick with it!
4. Celebrate your progress π
Creating order or avoiding waste is a process, not a sprint. Regularly review what you have already accomplished β you may already see that you need to throw away less or that your supply is finally manageable. That's great!
5. Make it part of your routine
Schedule fixed 'Smantry moments': for example, briefly check the inventory on Sundays or update the shopping list before going shopping. Routines provide structure and make sustainable actions a matter of course.
π Conclusion:
Motivation is not a perpetual flame β but with the right tools and habits, you can reignite it time and again.
With Smantry, you have a smart companion by your side that helps you stay organized, consume more consciously, and incidentally do something good for yourself and the environment.

More clarity when shopping: How Open Food Facts and the Smantry app make nutrition transparent
Many foods look healthy at first glance β but what's really inside them? Are the nutritional values balanced? How processed is a product? And what impact does it have on our environment?
This is exactly where the Smantry-App comes in: It uses the globally open database Open Food Facts, to give you immediate clarity when scanning your items. But what's actually behind the colorful labels like Nutri-Score, NOVA or Eco-Score, that you encounter in the app?
Let's take a closer look at the background.
Open Food Facts: From the Idea to a Global Database
The journey began in 2012 with the founding of Open Food Facts β a non-profit organization that collects, analyzes, and makes food information freely accessible worldwide. The goal from the beginning was to provide consumers with scientifically substantiated information.
What started as a small project has now become a global platform with millions of products. And it is precisely this data that the Smantry-App uses to give you a clear overview directly on your smartphone.
An overview of the most important scores
1. Nutri-Score β how healthy is my product?
Since 2016, the Nutri-Score has been legally established in France β and it has quickly spread throughout Europe.
- A (green) means: very balanced.
- E (red) means: unbalanced, enjoy in moderation.
The rating is based on calories, sugar, salt, saturated fats β but also on positive factors such as fiber, protein, and the proportion of vegetables.
π So in the Smantry app, you can see at a glance whether a food item fits into your everyday life β or perhaps should be on the table less often.
2. NOVA-Score β how processed is it?
Not only the ingredients, but also the degree of processing plays a significant role for health. This is exactly what the NOVA-Score (integrated into Open Food Facts since 2018) shows you:
- 1 = unprocessed or minimally processed (e.g., fresh fruit, plain yogurt)
- 2 = ingredients such as vegetable oils, sugar, flour
- 3 = processed foods (e.g., bread, cheese, canned goods)
- 4 = highly processed products ("Ultra-Processed Food"), often with additives, flavors, and industrial processes
π With the Smantry app, you can instantly tell if a product is still 'close to nature' β or if it falls into the category of being highly processed.
3. Eco-Score (soon to be Green-Score) β how sustainable is my shopping?
Since 2019, Open Food Facts also includes an environmental assessment: the Eco-Score. It takes into account, among other things:
- COβ emissions from production and transportation,
- Packaging and recyclability,
- Origin and seasonal factors.
The rating is β similar to the Nutri-Score β from A (very eco-friendly) to E (less sustainable).
By 2025, this will become the Green-Score, which will take into account even more detailed data and thus provide you with even better guidance for sustainable consumption.
π For you in the Smantry app, this means: You can see not only whether a food is healthy for you, but also whether it is good for our planet.
What this means for you as a Smantry user
Currently, you can scan your products in the Smantry-App and view many details. The scores themselves are not yet integrated β but the integration is planned.
This means: Soon you will be able to see not only the nutritional values of a product but also how healthy, processed, or sustainable it is β all directly in your app.
Conclusion: Your Smart Nutrition Compass
The colorful labels are much more than pretty symbols. They are your quick compass in everyday life β whether you want to shop with health consciousness, reduce highly processed products, or pay attention to the environment.
With the Smantry-App you already have strong support for more transparency while shopping. And with the planned integration of the scores, it will become even more valuable β your smart nutritional compass for the future.

Cooking with the Future: Augmented Reality and Smart Interfaces for Your Recipes
Thatβs exactly what augmented reality (AR) and smart interfaces bring to the table. They project digital information where you need it most: into your cooking environment. This makes it easier to stay organized, cook more efficiently, and even reduce waste β because less stress in the kitchen often means fewer forgotten or spoiled ingredients.
And hereβs where Smantry comes in. The app already helps you keep track of your pantry, avoid food waste, and stay in control of your kitchen. With upcoming features like leftover-based recipe suggestions, youβre already stepping into the smart kitchen future today.
π Bottom line: The kitchen of tomorrow is here β and itβs efficient, sustainable, and surprisingly fun.