Back about 18 years ago I promised to build out the pantry in our new home. So now I've built the cabinets and hung them high. These are for excess storage such as those roasting pans used for the Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey and other such seldom but needed items. They are maybe half full so I estimated right.....for a change. I build a 5' 3 shelf rolling cart that holds our counter top appliances like the hot air fryer, slow cooker, bread maker, and so on. Again seldom used but used enough. The final touch is the 2 floating shelves that are 1-7/8" thick, 11-1/2" wide, and 5' long that will be above that cart and under the cabinets. Hopefully there's a mental picture developing here. I choose poplar for the shelf because of it's lighter weight. I would have gone with oak or even maple had they not weighed so much more. Most of what will be on these shelves is canned goods and boxed foods.

 

So now I'm down to figuring out the best/better finish for the shelves. The front and exposed side edges will be rounded over slightly to prevent cuts. My skin tears easier these days and I hate dripping blood that I'm usually not even aware of. Usually looks far worse then it actually is...ask a few of my former rescue squad patients. A few wondered who should be the priority patient but mine was usually just a small scratch but looked so much worse. Enough, edges rounded. But the finish is a mystery to me. I've sanded these down to 220 grit on the 19/38 drum sander and am ready to consider a good finish that will hold up to canned goods. On all my projects I've used General Finishes High Performance Water Based Satin. All my shop tables/cabinets/router table/ and such I've used this finish and really like it.

 

I prep the wood by sanding it to 180 and apply the 1st coat, sand w/220 apply a coat, sand to 320 apply a coat, and finish with last coat sanded to 400. On the pantry cabinets I add one more coat and sanded to 600 with all in between sandings being very lightly. I would do this with these shelves but not sure it will hold up to canned goods sliding back and forth over time. I'm very open to suggestions on what would work well and keep in mind I really like a satin finish. Just never really got into the gloss or high gloss look but not a fan of flat either. And no I don't want to paint the poplar either.

What you have been using should hold up for many years.  

Or, if you like the woodgrain look, you can use some sand 'n seal, some form of varnish that will be rather durable.  You can always use 220 or higher sandpaper to lightly sand to reduce the gloss.