Food Inventory Template

A business that relies on food to function must ensure this food is handled carefully. Even in your kitchen, you need to ensure that your food items are managed properly. Food is a perishable product therefore must be handled effectively so that no wastage occurs.

When food products are not managed properly, they can be wasted, resulting in money loss. For smooth operations to occur and to meet consumer demand, you need to ensure that you handle items properly. A food inventory can be considered here.

What is a food inventory?

This is a list that states the food items available and the quantity of every time that is available. The inventory can help one keep track of the food items they have in their kitchen, and also a business that relies on food can benefit from the inventory.

Food inventory template

File: Excel (.xls) 2003+ and iPad 
Size 33 Kb

What does a food inventory do?

The inventory will keep track of the food items in a home, office, business, etc. so that items that are about to expire can be used soon. The items that are short and need to be brought can be known so that no shortage occurs. The inventory will therefore help a home or business remain organized.

Food inventory sheet template

File: Excel (.xlsx)
Size 33 Kb

How to create a food inventory?

It is important to make an inventory carefully so that it can be filled in and consulted easily. The following points can be kept in mind when making this inventory:

Structure of inventory:

The inventory should be easy to consult. It needs to have a heading like “Food Inventory”. The heading will immediately let the reader know what the inventory handles. You can make the inventory in Microsoft Excel as it will have to be updated regularly and this can be done easily here. Include a date on the document. You can even add your company’s name if this is applicable.

Create a table:

A table must be made which will include all the relevant points in a simple and precise way.

Name of item:

A column for item name should be present where you will state the name of the item clearly.

Category:

This will include the category of the food product. This can include meat, vegetables, snacks, etc.

Brand:

You can have a column for a brand that states the name of the company that has manufactured the food item. This will let you know which brand to buy from in the future.

Expiry date:

If applicable, you can have a column for this as well. It will let you know which food products need to be consumed soon. You will even know which ones have expired.

Quantity of item:

The quantity of the item needs to be known and a separate column should be present for this.

Cost per item:

The cost per product must be included in a column so that when you need to buy it in the future, you will know about this.

Status:

A column for the status of the item will be helpful so that you can know when to immediately buy the product.  

Notes:

A column for notes can state any extra details about the particular food item. It is important that you only include relevant stuff here so that the inventory is not confusing.

It lists all the available items

A food inventory is important and needed for businesses that depend on food items such as restaurants, hotels, etc. Many offices provide lunch to employees and they can also benefit from an inventory like this. Even when you want to know what food items you have and which ones you need to buy for your family, a food inventory can help you out here.

This is because it lists all the items available and lets you know about their quantity as well. You will know what food products you do not need to buy at the moment. You will know which items are about to expire and so should be used before it is too late.

Therefore the amount of food that gets spoilt will be limited when you manage this effectively with the help of this inventory. The inventory even includes information about the brand you bought the item from and even its cost therefore making it easier for you to buy it in the future.

Food inventory template

File: Excel (.xlsx)
Size 33 Kb