What is dry storage training for retail?
In the context of food retail, dry storage is all about keeping non-perishable goods that don’t need to be kept cold, like canned goods and spices. Dry storage training includes lessons on the proper management and maintenance of these goods while they’re in inventory, making sure they remain in good condition.
What are the benefits of dry storage training for retail?
Dry storage training can equip your team with the right skills to put into practice. However, knowledge of these skills can have certain benefits for your products and your retail business:
Reduces product waste and spoilage: Knowing the proper way to store products can protect them from heat, humidity, pests, and bad handling. This reduces the number of products that have to be thrown away before they’re sold.
Improves product quality and shelf life: Your team will learn how to monitor temperature and humidity to prevent products from getting stale or bland. Learning proper storage also allows them to increase the products’ shelf life and keep them fresh.
Better inventory management: Key concepts like First-In, First-Out teach your team to organize products according to their expiration date. This makes it easier to track what needs a restock to prevent over-ordering or forgetting about older stock.
Reduces health and safety risks: Training teaches staff about keeping dry storage areas clean and safe from pests. This eliminates the risk of food contamination, which is especially important in the food retail industry.
What are some examples of food safety guidelines for dry storage?
There are many best practices often mentioned in dry storage training. Below are some examples of food safety guidelines that can help your team manage their dry storage:
Keep the area clean and keep items off the floor. Make sure the storage is free from dust, dirt, and pests. Always store food and other items at least 6 inches above the floor. This prevents contamination and leaves products safe for consumption.
Label and date everything. Some food products might not be in their original packaging anymore. These products need to be properly labelled to avoid mix-ups and guarantee that you use older stock first, reducing waste and keeping food fresh.
Maintain proper temperature and airflow. Dry storage areas should be cool and well-ventilated, ideally between 50°F and 70°F (10°C to 21°C). Good airflow can also help prevent moisture buildup, which can spoil dry goods.
Control humidity. High humidity can ruin dry foods like flour, cereals, and spices. As such, make sure to keep humidity low, ideally below 55%, to avoid mold growth and spoilage.
Never store chemicals near food. Chemicals such as cleaning agents, detergents, or sprays should be stored separately in designated areas to avoid food from getting contaminated.
Protect food from sunlight. Exposure to sunlight can degrade the quality of food over time. Storing dry goods away from sunlight can effectively avoid this.
Store food in original or airtight containers. Whenever possible, keep food in its original packaging. If food must be transferred to other containers, use airtight containers that are labeled clearly to keep food fresh and safe.
Train your team to follow dry storage best practices with Mitti (by SafetyCulture)
Working in retail requires fast-paced delivery of onboarding and training materials so that new hires get well-prepared to serve customers as soon as possible. However, comprehension and practical application are still key to making sure that your team’s training brings value to your business.
Mitti (by SafetyCulture) comes packed with features that enhance your team’s understanding of the course content. It also uses modern solutions like artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and integrations to make sure training is delivered to the right teams efficiently.
Deliver dry storage training to your retail teams promptly without sacrificing comprehension. Join Mitti (by SafetyCulture) today.