Thank you for your reply!
I would like to see a larger starting stack size for items, potentially, if possible. The way that the food has different "timings" for spoiling makes it difficult to stack them, but I also agree that we need a different system to avoid the backpack running out of space so quickly. I would agree with you that a larger backpack would be easier, as the idea of a specialized bag was more of a "last resort" suggestion if the backpacks weren't updated via size.
I apologize, I just realized that such was the case. There is nothing to correct in regard to tools taking up backpack space; I was mistaken..
While a hotkey solution may not be available, perhaps a coding or basic update could be made to the game to allow the hotpouches to function more like the Minecraft hotbar. Most other games allow for scrolling across items and having whichever item is highlighted as the current item. Currently, having to press hotkeys or number keys to access specific items is cumbersome and unintuitive, as one of the most common ways of utilizing a hotbar is to scroll through it. Most other games use this option, so I hope to see it come to Grounded.