Did you know that professional moving companies have a list of restricted items? Perishable foods are at the top of the list. This policy applies whether you are using long or short-distance movers. Since you can’t take most of your food with you, it might be wise to stop grocery shopping a couple of weeks before moving day, eat as much of your food as you can leading up to moving day, and clean out the rest.
If your move is very short, you can swing a cooler with some of your food in it, but for longer moves, it’s better to pack non-perishable food and snacks and bid a warm farewell to any food that can spoil. More often than not, a neighbor, friend, or family member will be glad to take your frozen and refrigerated food off your hands.
If moving day is just around the corner, and you’re still trying to figure out what to do with all the food you won’t be taking with you, here is a guide to help you be as least wasteful as possible.
1. Take Inventory
The first step is to figure out what you have. Look through your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry and write everything down. Then, divide your food into categories such as:
- Perishables (Anything in the fridge or freezer).
- Canned Goods (Veggies, fruits, legumes, soups, etc.).
- Non-Perishables (Chips, snacks, cereal, bottled drinks).
- Baking and Cooking (Sugar, flour, etc.).
- Glass Bottles (Dressings, oil, alcohol).
Next to each item, write their expiration date and shelf life.
2. Create a Game Plan
Now that you know exactly what you have, how much you have of it, and how long it will last, it’s time to decide what to do with it. On your list, highlight high-priority items, meaning perishables you must eat first. Then, mark which high-priority items you will eat before moving day and which ones you will donate to a neighbor, friend, or family member or toss. It will be like Christmas for your little brother.
3. Eat Your High-Priority Items
We permit you to live by the motto: calories don’t count when planning a move. Plus, avoiding wastefulness is the perfect excuse to indulge. It’s time to get creative with recipes. This allows you to save money during an expensive phase of life by not eating out and will keep you from wasting a bunch of food.
Fill your family in on your plan to eat as much food before the move as possible. Let your family members be involved in the creative meal planning, and try to make it fun during an otherwise stressful time. Some meal ideas that are flexible in content include:
- A pot of chili
- Pasta dishes
- Subs
- Chicken and rice
- Sandwiches
- Frittatas
- Stir Fry
- Breakfast for dinner
- Soup
- Casseroles
4. Don’t Forget the Top Cupboards
Consider this a public service announcement: check those top, unreachable cupboards that you use for food storage. You might accidentally leave behind some perfectly good bags of sugar, flour, or other food storage. It happens more than you might think when people are rushed and have a lot on their minds. You might consider cleaning out those more hidden cupboards way in advance to get it out of the way.
5. Do Something Good with Your Food
Why not do something good with your non-perishable foods? Consider donating them to a local charity, the Utah Food Bank, a friend, or family in need. According to the Utah Food Bank, “1 in 10 Utah kids are unsure where their next meal will come from.” The Utah Food Bank relies heavily on donations from the local community. Donating to the Utah Food Bank or another non-profit organization is a great way to prevent waste and help serve your community.
6. Toss Anything Not Worth Bringing or Donating
Get honest with yourself: you won’t eat five pounds of almost-expired yogurt in three days. For some items, you must accept your loss and toss it. Dispose of all your expired and almost expired items because you will not want to donate these items. Don’t forget to recycle glass and cardboard.
7. Prepare Car Snacks and Pack Boxes
What’s a long day on the road without some snacks? Snacks are especially a must if you have young children. We recommend bringing non-perishable snacks and food items with you on your drive. Might we suggest special snacks for the car ride if you have little ones?
Think of snacks they aren’t allowed to have every day that might put a smile on their face during a difficult transition. Add some healthier ones as well. Balance is essential, and bringing joy to your kids’ is everything.
But, before packing the car snacks, you must pack any non-perishable foods that will go in moving boxes. Here are some reminders when packing food for the movers:
- Put all your canned food in small boxes so the box doesn’t get too heavy.
- Don’t pack any frozen food.
- Pack glass containers with plenty of cushion. One strategy is to put them in waterproof ziplock bags filled with bubble wrap, which ensures they won’t break.
- Label all boxes, including your food boxes, to make unpacking easier.
Pack On
Moving can be a whirlwind of stress, joy, and exhaustion. Hopefully, our tips will streamline the process of cleaning out your pantry and refrigerator and give you some good ideas for donating food. Remember not to eat spoiled food; you do not want a rumbling tummy on a long drive to your new home.