We all have those fridge mysteries. Count On It labels are intended to solve those by reminding you when you opened a jar or bottle. The labels let you scratch off the day and month (what–no time of day?!) to eliminate the guesswork and possibly reduce the waste from unknown food safety.
Lyndsey Young, a.k.a. the Mummypreneur, is a mother of two in Bottesford, England. As we see in this video with Ms. Young’s son, a good sport and a good reader for a 6-year-old, the product is aimed at parents:
I can’t decide about Count On It labels. On the one hand, it’s one more thing to use and throw away. How about just using a Sharpie? But what if the labels save you from tossing out food??
I do think many people use the ‘when in doubt, throw it out’ ideology in their house. My guess is that many of these folks would be the ones who’d appreciate this product. I don’t think I’d ever buy these, as I’m a sniffer/taster, but I can see how they’d work for some. Plus, they come from a good place–trying to avoid waste.
Let me know what you think about the labels and/or if you’re able to get a box.
P.S. Young got the seed money for her company by winning £15,500 on Deal or No Deal.
Comments
8 responses to “Count me…In? Out?”
I’ve used the Sharpie/Magic Marker method for about 40 of my 42 years of marriage. Started when we stocked up on food when my husband was getting out of the Nave and we did not know when either of us would be working. Just cannot see the need for one more thing to buy, store and remember to use when I have the Sharpie on the kitchen counter where I unpack all groceries.
As an educator for 15+ years, I find my classroom “stuff” often ends up being used around the house. Hence the use of vis a vis white board markers.
For items that will be consumed and container tossed (recycled), I use permanent markers, but for plastic bags and food storage containers, I find vis a vis markers work even better; the ink stays put for the life of the item in the fridge, but can be wiped away when it’s time for a new food item.
P.S. – Found your blog on accident today – a nice surprise! In turn, I’m sharing mine: http://eatinggoodstuff.blogspot.com
Bon appetit!
Also found your site by accident today, and immediately listed it on my website under “websites worth checking out.”
I too am in the process of writing a book (proposal) based on my blog, and I will probably quote you and the statistics you list on your home page in my proposal, though I’m based in the US and I see you’re in the UK.
I love what you’re doing; I find it incredibly distressing to see first hand the groceries people buy and then waste. Simply, it is a learned skill to first grocery shop strategically, and then once home, prepare those groceries in such a way that all food purchased is consumed rather than tossed.
Louise Ross
Boulder, CO
Kate–glad to hear that permanent markers work for you. It’s all about finding a system you’re comfortable with. For some, that may include these labels. For us, it doesn’t.
Robin–Glad you found the blog and can join the conversation.
Louise–Blimey! I’m actually 100% US-based. I can see why you’d think I was in the UK, though. I’ll have to drop by your blog every once in the while. I’m a friend of all frugal foodies…
I think the labels are better than nothing, and a marker is better than the labels. Since you asked for datapoints: I have reusable, erasable labels on my tupperware and use a marker for containers I don’t reuse.
Here’s another, small way to reduce waste. When you get take-out or a doggie bag, label the box with the contents. Then you don’t spend 10 minutes with the fridge open, while you open each and every box, looking for what you want. I haven’t worked out a good method for tin foil-wrapped leftovers – any ideas?
WillB–Sharpies were made to write on tin foil! Good idea on writing on your packages. Sounds like you eat more takeout than me!
Even more important than reminding myself when I bought something is reminding myself that I bought it! I often put a note on the outside of the refrigerator listing the fresh veggies & fruit I just bought so I’ll remember to use them within a few days. Of course, I live in the country, so I usually buy a week’s worth of produce at a time and it’s easy for something to get lost in the fridge.