[Electronics-Talk] labeling food items, kitchen products and organization tips

[Doug Payne]

Hi Ashley,

For grocery items with packages which feel similar to one another, such as canned goods, boxed items, and some freezer packages, I use an app on my phone -- called Seeing A.I -- which will read the UPC symbol and identify the item. Frequently, the information will include the package size, nutrition information, and preparation instructions. Of course, sometimes it can't identify the item at all. There maybe other apps for the Iphone or Android phone which do the same thing. Envision America made dedicated, standalone handheld UPC scanners with similar functionality, but these are no longer available.

I put some spices in small jars with 2-inch wide openings. For me, it just makes it easier and less messy to measure the items I use often. I can then put a UPC or Braille label on the jar or the lid for identification. Since I reuse the jars, I don't have to relabel them. 

--Doug

-----Original Message-----
From: Electronics-Talk <electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Ashley Bramlett via Electronics-Talk
Sent: Sunday, January 29, 2023 4:26 PM
To: Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Ashley Bramlett <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
Subject: [Electronics-Talk] labeling food items, kitchen products and organization tips

Hi all,

Many of you live alone or pretty independently. 

Kitchens have so much in them that its not always easy to find items especially if you have a large pantry with several shelves like we do.

I know about simple labeling with braille labeling tape, loc dots, and bump dots.
I don't label much for the kitchen because labeling and cutting the braille labels is time consuming. After you use a box or can, it is thrown out anyways.
So far, I use my sense of smell coupled with memory to know the products as well as low vision.
I cannot braille label cans of soda or bottles oof soda because it's a round item so the label will not stick to it.

What electronic devices or products are there for labeling?
Surely, electronic products or audio labels of some kind might work better. I love braille labels but I prefer brailling labels on cds, dvds, and every day items I'd use for a long time due to the fact that braille labels take long to make since you have to cut them so precisely and taking off the backing is time consuming too.

I know of the pen friend so far. I know about the OCR app Seeing A I but it would often not read the label but just kept beeping trying to find the bar code. 
Seeing A I was too difficult for me to use and often it said that no bar code was detected.

Unfortunately, the bar code scanning product that had thousands of items in it is no longer produced.
This product was simple and fast. I believe it was the ID Mate. I never owned it but saw it and it was reliable and efficient with a clear voice.

I'm aware of the Amazon Echo show skill where Alexa tells you the product name when you hold it up to the camera.
but that only identifies certain products and may or may not recognize the products.

Is there a better product reading app out there?
Is there a labeling product where you can record a long message of say a few minutes and then stick it to a product? I ask because I'd like to record info such as nutrition info, serving sizes, and expiration dates to my labels.
Also, how do you label freezer items and items for the refrigerator? Since it is so cold, most labeling products I was taught to use will not stick to such products.

I think organizing goes a long way in identifying things. We organize like items together such as soups together; Mixes like muffin and cookie mixes go together too. Also any ideas on this?

Thanks!

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