Have you already thought of what to do with your food supplies before moving? Probably not. In a busy situation such as moving home, your mind is probably occupied with other things such as how to prepare large items for the move, deciding whether to hire a moving company and where to look for a reliable and affordable moving company in New Zealand. It is easy to overlook the simplest things such as planning what to do with all the food left in the fridge and pantry.
Thankfully, we have gathered some easy tips for you so you can fix your food excess issue before moving home, without contributing much to food waste.
For you to know what to do with all the food you have, it is important to identify first what you have in your fridge, drawers and pantry. This way, you can create a better plan on what to do with them.
So, grab a pen and notepad, then start sorting all your food items according to their nature and make sure to take note of how much you have. By the time you finished your list, you should have frozen food, refrigerated food, canned food, bottled food and boxed food. Don’t forget to identify items that are near or past the expiration date and separate them from your other items.
Now that you have finished sorting your food items, you should have identified those that are near and past its expiration date. Expired items can no longer be consumed or donated so make sure to throw those away so it doesn’t get mixed up with your other food items. You can throw away the contents of bottled, boxed and canned food and recycle the containers. You can also look for a drop-off point where you can throw away those recyclable items.
When you’re nearing your moving day, avoid ordering take-outs and limit your trip to the grocery store. Start using up what you have in your kitchen, especially the perishables like meat, eggs, vegetables, dairy products etc. You’ll save money by cooking your own food, you reduced your load when moving, and most importantly, you avoid throwing away and wasting food that can still be eaten.
Plan what recipes to cook with your family on days leading to your moving day. You can also throw a farewell party for your friends and neighbours so you can use up that excess food and drinks you have.
If there are food items you wanted to take with you to your new home, you need to pack it properly. Here’s how you should pack it:
When packing canned food, glass jars or glass bottler food, it is advisable to use a small or medium box since it is heavy and will be more difficult to lift and carry if packed in a single large box. The box will be prone to breakage too if the content is too heavy.
Wrap glass containers with bubble wrap before placing them inside the box.
When packing food supplies like sugar, flour, spices, cereals, pasta, and rice, using resealable Ziplocks will ensure you avoid spills and leaks.
It is not advisable to move your frozen and refrigerated food to your new home, even when it is just a short-distance move. But if you need to, make sure to place them in a cooler with ice to keep them from spoiling and preserve their freshness.
Do you still have non-perishable food items left that you can’t take with you but are still consumable? Don’t let it end up in a landfill. You can give it away to neighbours or friends. Or better yet, donate it to your local food banks. This is a great way to reduce food waste and help people in need of food.
Make sure you and your family have enough energy on your moving day. Even when hiring a moving company for your move, there are still a lot of tasks you need to do so you have to ensure you have the fuel to keep going. Before your home movers arrive, prepare easy and quick snacks like sliders or sandwiches. Don’t forget the bottled water too. This is the best way to consume your excess food to avoid them from going to waste.
Another thing you don’t want to waste during your moving process is your time, especially when looking for a trusted moving company. Wise Move is here to help you with that. Whether looking for movers in Auckland, Wellington or wherever you are in NZ, Wise Move can help you reach a network of NZ’s trusted moving companies to get you affordable quotes you can choose from.
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