When stacking up on staple items I instituted the following system to make sure that I was using the items that would go out of date first. This also helps with restocking.

I purchased a pack of blank white stickers and cut them out so that they will retain the paper that they are stuck to. When I purchase an item that I want to store for future use I put a sticker on the item, using double sided tape. I list the name and size of the item on the sticker. I leave the sticker on the item and store it at the back of my present stock. When I get an item out to use it I peel off the sticker and stick it on my weekly grocery list. I have instructed my family to do the same when removing an item from the storage shelves.