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FIFO (First In, First Out) is a food storage practice where older items are positioned in front of newer items so they get used first. Reduces forgotten-food waste.
The vast majority of household food waste happens because food gets pushed to the back of the fridge, freezer, or pantry and forgotten until it's expired. FIFO reverses this pattern by making older items the most visible and accessible. Originally a warehouse and accounting concept, FIFO is the single highest-leverage organizational practice for kitchen waste reduction.
When putting away a new gallon of milk, the existing partially-consumed gallon stays in front; the new gallon goes behind. When the front milk is finished, the new one becomes the front. Same principle for canned goods (older cans front), pantry (older snacks at eye level), freezer (oldest items in marked use-soon zone).
Compared to LIFO: LIFO (Last In, First Out) is what most people accidentally do — putting new groceries on top of old ones, leading to old items being forgotten. Combined with the 'eat me first' zone: A FIFO system works best when paired with a designated front-of-shelf area for items expiring within 3-5 days.