What to do with the food during your move
When you start preparing dinner, your perfectly organized pantry is an important asset. However, when you have a next move, the food in your home can become a nuisance. While you obviously need food before the move and immediately after your arrival, transporting perishable goods can seem daunting.
As soon as you have a good idea of the schedule of your move, take an inventory of your food products. Then, use the following 10 guidelines to make sure the food does not interfere with your movement.
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Avoid buying too much
Once you know what you have, plan your meals around the food that is already in your home. Whenever possible, avoid buying more food, especially those that should be kept cold or frozen.
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Bring a refrigerator in your car
You may not be able to use all perishable items in your home before moving. Take a fridge with you for your leftovers. Just be sure to fill the fridge often with ice to avoid dangerous temperatures for food. Also enjoy the refrigerators of your trip, either at your hotel or in a family member where you will spend the night.
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Discard fragile containers
When you move fragile objects, there is always a risk of breakage. Glass containers and fragile boxes may not fit while driving. Turn off all the containers that could break and leave a mess with something more resistant. Also, close all open boxes to avoid spills. For example, place packing tape on top of cold cereal boxes.
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Discuss the policies of your Move
When planning the best ways to transport the food you plan to take with you, check with your engines. Some moving companies will not transport any type of food, while others will transport non-perishable products or well-packaged perishable goods. Consider the policies of your engine.
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Donate unwanted perishables
Non-perishable foods, especially canned foods, are heavy and difficult to move. To simplify, provide local families or needy residents with non-perishable food that you do not need immediately.
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Eat frozen foods first
If possible, eat or discard all frozen foods before moving them. When making plans for dinner, create meals around what you have in your freezer.
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Leave out the meals for the day of your move
Unless you plan to buy all your food on the day of your move, plan your meals for that day. Keep these foods in your refrigerator or car to have with you when you are ready to eat.
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Package of spices in airtight containers
Spices, especially those in powder form, can cause damage if spilled in a box. Close each spice bottle and place it in a plastic bag or in an airtight plastic container. For spice boxes that do not close, such as your salt shaker, place a plastic wrap on the lid before storing it.
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Pack your boxes like a grocer
When you start packing the boxes you plan to take with you, think like your neighborhood grocer. Place the heavier items on the bottom and place the packing materials between the foods that can move during transport.
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Discard the expired food
When your move takes place in about a week, check your food and write down the expiration date of each item. Dispose of any food that expires before your move, during your move or immediately after arriving at your new home. This step helps you avoid storing the pantry of your new home with foods you can not really use.
Remember that if you move within the boundaries of your city, you will probably be able to transport most of your perishable goods. However, if your movement is crossing borders, you may want to simply replenish once it arrives.
Use these instructions as a starting point to download, pack and plan your pantry.
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