Abstract: Methods and apparatus for food expiration reporting and intelligent inventory tracking is provided. A food item inventory database is created listing at least food item name, quantity, and expiration date. It is then determined, via a computer processor associated with the food item inventory database, whether any of the food items have an expiration date falling within at least one future predetermined time period in order to identify expiring food items. An alert can then be generated at a user interface indicating that one or more of the food items have an expiration date falling within the at least one future predetermined time period. Based on this information, menu items can be adjusted, menu specials can be implemented, and intelligent inventory management can be facilitated.

Abstract: A mailing label and system and method for preparing the same is provided. The mailing labels are provided on a continuous perforated strip, where the perforations define unitary fields of labels, including at least a label for an intended recipient's address and a label for bearing a postal service approved postage indicia, to be used on a single item to be mailed. The strip is adapted for use with a computer driven printer capable of printing the recipient's address, the postage indicia and other data relating to the item to be mailed on the labels within a given unitary field. The system and method according to the invention provide for the ability to prepare the aforementioned mailing labels by effectively combining the functions of a postage meter with a system for preparing mailing labels.