A food inventory system, including a portable device which may include a bar code scanner and camera to add and remove inventory items to and from the inventory. The scanner may be mounted on an inventory storage container to facilitate inventory control from one or more domestic storage devices, including refrigerators, freezers, and pantries. The inventory system may display a table listing the inventory items along with variable details. Based on the food inventory list, the inventory system may suggest recipes, display the ingredients in stock for suggested recipes, and create a shopping list of the ingredients not in stock for a desired recipe. The portable device may be configured with wireless capability, connection to the internet, phones, tablets, laptops, and personal computer.