Packing your Pantry, Freezer and Fridge

If you're preparing to move, you most likely still have a kitchen full of food. That includes the things in your refrigerator and freezer. Although many sources may recommend that you dispose of or give away your food, it's not terribly practical for most people. Food is expensive these days, and parting with a well-stocked supply can cause undue financial hardship. Therefore, you'll probably want to consider some these methods of packing your pantry, freezer and fridge.

Eat it All

If you don't want to be burdened with a lot of perishable food, the easiest solution is to eat it all. Rather than going out to eat for the weekend, stay in and see what you can make from what you have on hand. Steak from the freezer, veggies from the crisper or potatoes from the pantry are some great options with a lot of possibilities.

Toss Old or Unwanted Food

While it's never good to waste food, if something is old or if you simply don't care for it, it might be easier to throw it out. Similarly, if there's barely anything left of something, consider throwing it away. For example, a tub of butter that has just a teaspoon or so left in it may still be good, but it's probably not worth taking up precious space.

Ship It

If you keep a deep freezer full of meat or wild game, you naturally don't want to get rid of it. The next best option is to ship it with a courier, but they can't promise that the food won't spoil. For best results, you should choose overnight shipping. Pack your food carefully in insulated containers and include leakproof ice packs with it to help guarantee freshness. For other perishable foods, package them in airtight containers or vacuum-sealed bags before transporting them.

Use a Cooler

One of the most practical ways to haul food, especially if you don't have too far to go, is to pack it up in a cooler with ice. For this purpose, you can use regular ice for short trips and dry ice for longer ones. Like with anything you ship, be sure to package messy or spillable foods in reinforced airtight containers or bags. When arranging your foods in the cooler, put the cold things on the bottom and place the frozen foods on top. This will help to keep the regular refrigerated items cold longer. When you go to load the cooler into your vehicle, put it in last so that you have immediate access to it when you get to your new home.

Regardless of the method you use to pack and move your food, make sure that you clear out your pantry, fridge and freezer at least 12 hours before moving. In addition, keep the doors of your freezer and fridge open so that any condensation has a chance to dry, preventing mold, mildew and foul smells. If you opted for GYMO to handle things for you, check with us. Usually we recommend that you keep food in your car with you since we cannot control the temperature of the inside of our trucks, but we can always make arrangements if that is not possible.