Half a pepper, an opened tub, and a small box of beans are easy to forget when each lives in a different corner. A visible space for items that need using soon makes dinner decisions simpler.
Keep foods in suitable covered containers and preserve their labels or dates. The space is an organizing aid, not permission to extend storage beyond safe limits. Raw and ready-to-eat foods still need appropriate separation.
Before planning a meal, look there first. A few beans might fit soup; the pepper may suit a tray of potatoes. If there is nothing you want to cook with an item while it remains safe, freezing may be an option. Do that early enough to be useful, rather than waiting until the food is already questionable.