We do this regularly too. Particularly if it's tourist season and the supermarket is packed all the time lol. Did it about a months before Christmas and about due again. I can get away with doing it more often when DH isn't here.
I have a basket Astrid and it works a treat. Recently got rid of some dried peas that the kids got in a show bag at the show lol.
I shall start an inventory though. That's a good idea. Since it's garbage night tonight I generally have a clean out of both fridge and freezers. We have to freeze most of our foodstuff waste until garbage night or it's rank.