Moving your entire household, people, pets, and possessions, is a big task to undertake. It’s common to think of the big things that need to be moved first: the furniture, all the clothes, kitchen accessories and appliances. Once the big items are sorted out, there’s room to think about the tier two items, such as your food.
Obviously we’re not talking about fresh produce. Anything you’ve got in your fridge is likely going to be thrown out as it won’t last the duration of your move. But the food in your pantry and anything that remotely qualifies as food storage, what are you to do with that? How do you move it? Can you even move it?
Our years of experience in moving families and individuals across the country have shown us first-hand how to handle some of the tricker elements of moving, including suggestions for food storage and moving.
Best Ways to Pack Food for Moving
To break down how to move and pack your food, take a look at and consider following our steps below.
Evaluate
The first step is to evaluate what you have. What should you bring? What shouldn’t you bring? Divide your pantry items into two piles: one pile that will remain edible and stay inside their containers during the move and another pile for items that won’t. Some of the items you’ll be evaluating can include canned goods, unopened condiments, basic cooking ingredients, and anything that’s been set aside as food storage.
Give Things Away
After you’ve evaluated everything you’ll be keeping or leaving, the next step is to get rid of the leaving it pile. Unless your food items are seriously expired, a great option is to give them away. Neighbors, family, and friends might find a use for whatever you can’t take with you.
Pack
The final step in the process is packing. Much like other areas or items in your home, packing up your food is going to require time, energy, and effort, so be sure you have plenty of boxes and other packaging materials ready-to-use.
Best Food Storage Containers for Moving and Other Tips for Packing Food
To begin with, you’re going to want the right packing materials. This essentially boils down to having the best food storage containers for moving, which include:
- Plastic Storage Bin: This is going to be the number one option for storing and transporting food. Food storage items tend to be heavy, so the boxes containing them should be heavy-duty. Furthermore, if your food storage items are going to be in storage for a bit before they are unpacked, plastic storage bins are going to preserve and protect them better.
- Sturdy Cardboard Boxes: You certainly can still use cardboard boxes for packing and transporting your food storage. Just keep in mind their more fragile nature as you pack. Consider putting lighter food storage items in cardboard boxes so they can better bear the weight. Consider separating items that you’re going to want to have on-hand quickly after your move into cardboard boxes and putting longer-term items that you won’t need right away in plastic bins.
Next steps are packing tips, which should involve the following:
- Layer Heavier Items on Bottom: Put the heavier items on the bottom of your boxes or plastic storage bins. This way, the lighter items won’t get crushed by the weight of the heavier ones.
- Seal and Label Box: If you’re going to be storing your food storage for a while, be extra careful to seal and label the boxes. Even food storage can be at risk for going bad if not stored and sealed properly.
Plan Your Move with Colonial Van Lines
Colonial Van Lines has been in the moving business for decades. You can trust our years of experience moving families and individuals across state lines and across the country. Contact us today to learn more about our moving and packing services.
