We know there are many South Florida Moving Companies to choose from, which can make choosing one difficult. Overall, you want a reputable South Florida Moving Company thatwho quotes you fairly and has a ton of experience. If you still can’t decide, why not go with the company that provides the best resources and tips, like us? Our tips go beyond simply ‘moving’. We cover all aspects you can think of! Have you ever thought about what to do with your food when moving? That’s exactly what we’ll go over in this article!
We spend a lot of money on groceries. When it’s time to move, it can be frustrating to figure out how best to handle all the food left in your fridge or pantry. –As you may be aware, this can often be a considerably large amount. But since you’re here, reading this post; you’re safe. Here’s what to do with your food when moving so that you don’t risk throwing it all away.
Classify the Food into Different Categories
The first thing you will have to do with your food when moving is to take inventory of all the food left in your storage. This helps you know what you have to deal with.
Consider grouping food items with similar characteristics together. Ideally, you should have perishable, non-perishable, and refrigerated foods in your classification. Be sure to know the exact amounts of the different foods. That way you can plan for them accordingly as the moving day approaches.
When you’re done taking inventory, you should have all foods in their respective groups, preferably under non-perishables. Groups can be canned foods and bottled and boxed items like cereals and snacks.
Refrigerated perishables and frozen foods like meat and vegetables should appear under refrigerated foods. While food supplies with tight expiration dates and delicate packaging should be classified as perishable. You’ll want to use up all or much of these before moving out.
Cancel Your Regular Shopping Trip
Now that the first thing is ticked off your list of what to do with your food when moving, we’ll move on to the next. After classifying your food, you should take steps to lighten your load. Seeing this advice from a South Florida moving company may seem strange, but we are all to some degree creatures of habit, and that includes our grocery shopping. We fall into a natural cadence, and this is something we do when there’s time on the schedule. We go grocery shopping even if we don’t necessarily need more food. South Florida movers will all tell you that one of the things they see most commonly left behind in homes is food. People often don’t have much of an idea of what’s in their freezer or pantry until they’re about to move out.
Therefore, more than once we’ve been a South Florida moving company that’s stepped into the role of food consultant. We suggested people who were about to move to stop food shopping. It’ll force you to eat out of your freezer and pantry for a few days a week or even longer, and you’ll eat into your inventory quickly. You’ll also get a much better idea of what’s in your home, so you can take the next steps toward packing properly. To add, you should know that some of the food in your pantry has a shelf life without the help of a South Florida moving company. Also, frozen food must be used within six months of freezing.
Save some cash and make it easier on your South Florida movers by living off of what you have. After all, you’ll more than likely be eating out quite a bit after you arrive at your new home.
Make a Plan to Use up What’s Currently in Your Fridge
For obvious reasons, you should take care of the food in your refrigerator in addition to eating what’s in your pantry and freezer. Refrigerated foods are the second group that you should consider using up before moving. These frequently include perishable items like meat that you don’t want to keep out of the refrigerator for too long or delicate items like eggs that are just difficult to transfer.
An important step in what to do with your food when moving is to use up as much of it as possible. If some of these remain by moving day, let them be just a small, manageable amount.
One way to make this happen is to avoid eating out, or cut your trips to the grocery store so that you can focus on consuming what you already have. You could utilize apps or websites to help you make recipes using the ingredients you have on hand.
Do you still have a sizeable amount of leftovers by moving day? Organize a farewell party for your neighbors and/or friends a day or two before you move! This can be a smart way to ensure you use up most of what’s in your fridge and freezer.
Pack up the Remaining Non-Perishable Foods That You’re Taking with You
Once you’ve planned out what you will eat on moving week, you’ll know exactly what foods you’re moving with you—time to pack them up.
Start with the heavier food items, like canned pasta and peanut butter jars. The idea is to layer the items. Place the tough, heavy ones on the bottom of the moving boxes while reserving the top for the lighter, more delicate items.
All moving boxes will need to be sealed securely. You may have to stop by the local container store or hardware for some sealable, heavy-duty containers. Also, could you consider how much weight you place on each box, being mindful not to fill them? Moving boxes that are much too heavy should not be lifted by your movers.
Utilizing Food Storage Solutions
For non-perishable items that you plan to take with you during a move, finding effective storage solutions is crucial. One key aspect of what to do with your food when moving is to use airtight containers for storing dry goods like rice, pasta, and cereals. These containers are essential for protecting your food from pests and moisture during transit. Additionally, for smaller items like spices and condiments, consider using smaller containers or bags to maximize space efficiency. If you have a sizable inventory of non-perishables, consider temporary storage solutions. or use a moving company’s relocation services. We are experts in securely transporting food products.
Reserve a Cooler to Move Refrigerated/Freezer Items
Did you know that knowing what to do with your food when moving also has to do with safety? Moving windows often present opportunities for foodborne bacteria to thrive on food that should be refrigerated or kept frozen. Bacteria tend to multiply fast at temperatures between 40 °F and 140 °F. When ambient (outside) temperatures are above 90 °F, cold foods quickly heat to those temperatures.
Oftentimes, you’ll be divided between tossing such food away and using it up before you move. However, sometimes there’s just too much to finish within the time. It’s never a good idea to throw good food away. Therefore, it helps to figure out a way to preserve it during the move – that’s where the good old cooler comes in.
Stack all the refrigerated drinks, expensive frozen meat, and all your refrigerated valuables in a cooler. Be sure to reserve a place for the cooler in your car. That way you can refrigerate the foods as soon as you arrive in your new home.
You may also want to keep a separate cooler for the beverages, which will be opened from time to time while moving. We’ll let you in on a moving company secret: all movers in South Florida enjoy a cool, refreshing drink!
Chances are that the ice will be melting as you go. Losing the ice means losing the food preservation quality of the cooler. It helps to keep perishable cold items only for short moves, preferably within six hours of travel. Otherwise, you could risk food poisoning with some of your food going bad prematurely.
Donate Unwanted, Non-Perishables to Moveforhunger
One way to ensure your food doesn’t expire and end up in the landfill is to give it away for charity. Donate it to Move for Hunger, a not-for-profit organization. Move for Hunger works with professional moving companies in the US and Canada. They collect and deliver non-perishable food items to food banks across the region.
This will be a great way to support those in need without necessarily incurring additional costs on your budget.
Here are other sites that may be able to take unwanted food from you:
Miami-Dade County
Food For Life Network – 3400 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33137 – (305) 576-3663
Curleys House Hope Relief Food Bank – 6025 NW 6th Ct, Miami, FL 33127 – (305) 759-9805
Miami Helping Hands – 19100 NE 3rd Ave, Miami, FL 33132 – (844) 296-7456
Glory Temple Ministries – 7950 NW 22nd Ave, Miami, FL 33147 – (305) 456-5217
Broward County
The Pantry of Broward – 610 NW 3rd Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 – (954) 358-1481
Feeding South Florida – 2501 SW 32nd Terrace, Pembroke Park, FL 33023 – (954) 518-1818
We Are One Food Bank – 6794 Stirling Rd, Hollywood, FL 33024 – (954) 505-4152
Tee’s Food Pantry – (954) 479-1306
The Cupboard – (954) 530-7555
Palm Beach County
Palm Beach County Food Bank – 525 Gator Dr, Lantana, FL 33462 – (561) 670-2518
CROS Ministries Delray Beach Food Pantry – 141 SW 12th Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33444 – (561) 243-7634
Jacobson Family Food Pantry – 430 S Congress Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33445 – (561) 274-1940
Daily Bread Food Bank – Palm Beach – 426 Claremore Dr. West Palm Beach, FL 33401 – (561) 659-5070
Throw out Questionable Items
Despite your efforts to use all your stored food, some leftovers will inevitably remain behind. Food that won’t make it to the donation box, nor get used up by the time you’re moving will often already be opened or expired. When it comes to this type of food, you don’t have a choice but to throw it into the garbage.
This includes the food affected by freezer burn. Ever seen a steak in the freezer that appears parched and discolored? Then you know what freezer burn is.
When you preserve food in the freezer for too long or without wrapping it tightly enough, the water content in it normally forms ice. These ice crystals can usually migrate from the food to the side of the freezer, which is usually the coldest part. As a result, the food becomes dehydrated, leading to apparent discoloration. Oxygen may also seep into the food, causing it to lose its flavor and color.
Food with freezer burn might not taste pleasant, but it’s still safe to eat, unlike food that has expired. So if money is tight, freezer-burned steaks may be your first meal in your new home. In a decade, you can look back and remember how real the struggle was when you moved into your new home.
Creative Cooking Challenges
In the weeks leading up to your move, challenge yourself with creative cooking. This is a fun and practical approach to what to do with your food when moving. Try new recipes or make do with what you have and use up those remaining goods in your cupboard. This not only helps in minimizing food waste but also adds an element of culinary adventure to your moving preparations. Share this experience with family or roommates for a memorable pre-move activity. It’s a great way to make the most out of your food resources while enjoying the process.
Post-Move Food Replenishment
By now, you have a pretty set idea of what to do with your food when moving. But what about your food after the move? Once you’ve settled into your new home, restocking your pantry and refrigerator is the next step. Before rushing to the grocery store, take time to plan your purchases based on your new space and lifestyle needs. This is an opportunity to rethink your eating habits and make healthier or more sustainable choices. Start by buying essential items and gradually build up your pantry. This methodical approach not only prevents food wastage but also helps in maintaining a clutter-free kitchen in your new home. Remember, a move is a chance to reset your food habits and create a fresh start.
Moving soon and have food in your pantry, fridge, and freezer? Before moving day, take a look at your food and decide what you’ll do with it all. Moving Squad is here to help you move to your new home! As a full-service moving company with flexible packing and storage options, Moving Squad can tailor its services to meet your moving needs. Get your free quote today!
