How to Pack the Kitchen Pantry

Get packing advice for how to pack the kitchen pantry from the expert packers at All My Sons Moving & Storage.

When you make a move, you have to decide what to do with all the food, spices, and other goods in your pantry. Deciding what to pack and how to pack the items in your pantry can be a tricky ordeal, which is why All My Sons Moving & Storage is here to help.

Follow this guide to packing the kitchen pantry and save on groceries when you reach your destination.

If you are moving long-distance then packing perishable food items is not recommended. While the cost of replacing your pantry items might look a little steep, it might be worth it to avoid the sheer headache of getting all those food items and spices from point A to point B.

Moving long-distance? Donate unopened food goods to your local food banks and ask friends and neighbors if they’d like to have your opened food goods. Any items that cannot be donated, eaten before your move, or given away should be properly disposed of. 

If your move is local, then you could pull off a pantry relocation without too much hassle. Packing food is a little different from packing anything else in your kitchen, but with some care you can avoid a mess.

When you have made the decision to move your pantry goods, the first thing you should do is purge the pantry of anything expired or spoiled. You do not want to move food that you won’t be able to eat at your destination anyway.

Check open containers for damage that might make them difficult to move and ensure your remaining pantry goods are also free of pests.

Open containers pose the greatest risk of making a mess when you attempt to move them. The easiest way to move the pantry is to move only the unopened, shelf-stable goods. This means you should try to use up items that are opened or will pose a problem to move.

In the weeks leading up to your move, try a zero-food-waste app or website like Supercook, My Fridge Food, or Recipe Radar to use up ingredients you have decided not to move.

Tape lids of spices shut to avoid spills. Securely seal bags for chips, snacks, or cereal. If boxes or bags are damaged, transfer the contents to a sealed plastic food container. 

Canned goods can go in the bottom of a small box. Lighter items like cereal or pasta boxes can go on top. Be sure to avoid putting heavy items on top of light items so that you do not crush anything.

It is possible your movers will tell you they do not transport food in their moving truck, so you will need to make an alternative plan for moving your pantry goods. You can have these items packed in your own vehicle or have a friend or household member transport your pantry goods in their vehicle.

Your pantry items should go with your essentials which means they should be packed last and unloaded at your destination first. Populate your pantry as soon as you reach your destination.

The downside to moving pantry goods is that it’s a pain and liable to cause a mess. The upside is that once you have moved your pantry goods, a home cooked meal at your new place is possible. You can avoid takeout and save money on your post-move grocery bill. 

Moving soon? Trust your move to the experts at All My Sons Moving & Storage. Whether you’re moving houses, apartments, or your office, our dedicated team can tailor our services to meet the unique needs of your move. Call your local All My Sons Moving & Storage location or get your quote online to start talking about your move.