[HeyLaughingBoy]

I keep hearing about this idea, but most of the stuff in my fridge doesn't have a barcode. Either it never did (fruit, veggies), or it's worn off or the external packaging was removed. And then there's the fact that I don't always want the same thing (out of Smucker's strawberry jam, but want Minnesota State Fair Cherry preserves (mmmmm) to replace it).

Still don't get the appeal.

[hacknat]

I agree completely. When people talk about the fridge idea I've always scratched my head about it. First of all a good chunk of my food never sees the inside of the fridge. I would also add that the vast majority of items we "run out" of we end up not replacing, at least consistently. I consistently replace only a small amount of the food I consume (milk, butter, bread), and I suspect others are similar.

I'm sure I have some patterns in my eating habits, but it's an area of my life I'm constantly trying to randomize (i.e. try new things). I would also add that seasonality plays a huge role, both in what is available and cheap, which a computer could track, but my own desire for changes. I went through a cheese "phase" last year where I tried lots of different cheeses, but I don't really eat too much cheese anymore. Now I'm in a Bourbon phase.

[HeyLaughingBoy]

Which is, if I may add, an excellent phase to be in :-)