I am staring at my pantry thinking, why can't I take this? I don't want to have to buy all condiments, seasonings, canned goods, etc when I get there. I have lots of things that I got for free, but would have to pay for when we get there. I know stuff that could get crushed won't go well, but what about unopened things like mustard, relish, vinegar, cereals, etc? Most people I know just give this stuff away, but why can't I take it?

Jennifer

How far are you moving? I would take my stockpile with me, unless moving across country and paying a moving company. If you are using a U-haul, throw it onboard if you have room. Oh, one more thing, the inside of those trucks get HOT in the summer.

I wouldn't pay to move it, but if I could stick it in the car, by all means take it!

I would take it. As long as it isn't something that would explode. i would take it all.

We are going from CO to OH and we are renting a truck and driving ourselves, so we won't be paying to move it, so to speak. Do you think there is a chance of items exploding due to the heat?

Thanks!

Jennifer

I have moved several times and packed my non-perishibles. I brought canned goods, spices, etc from Japan to the US and had no problems. I did have a bottle of syrup that got squished and leaked, but nothing too tragic. As long as it is unopened and isn't going to be in storage forever, pack it.

I usually take all my food and I am a champion mover! I have never thrown food away unless I think it will spoil, it is already open and it will spill all over, or we don't really like it that well in the first place.

If you have room, take it by golly!!!

As long as the truck the clean, items are well-packed, and you don't include anything (like aerosols) that could explode, you should be able to take it with you.

You're right--it costs a small fortune to start from nothing. Mom had to do this last year when the chemicals used to stop an ant invasion cleaned her out. It was bad. :(

When we moved we didn't have enough room for all of ours, but I brought as much as I could. There is nothing good about starting over! I still find some things that I need, and it's been one year!

I'd take it. Actually I have taken things like that.

My family has made 3 major moves in the last year. Each time we moved ourselves and all of my food made the move just fine. Even our freezer and its contents.

Good luck and best wishes!:rollsmile

I've always taken everything. Alot of items I either took in the car with us or put into my washing machine tub. If something leaks its an easy clean up plus with those freezer packs it stays cold.

Laurie in Bradenton

We moved food when we moved too. The moving company wouldn't take it so we piled all our canning in the back of the car and brought it over. Also all those 'dangerous' things like paint, etc. they won't take. We had a full car, but we made it. And we had lots of canning to see us through the first winter while we adjusted.

Jean

If you're driving your own truck I say take it.

I love the washer-tub idea- I would think you have to make sure the stuff isn't rattling around in there (to prevent dents etc) but I think it is a great idea.

I personally have put the food I've moved into plastic totes with lids. That way, even if something somehow got broken, it wouldn't get all over anything else.

I've moved food before. In fact, right before we moved to CO there was an awesome coupon/sale deal here where I could get Prince spaghetti and macaroni for free - so we moved 30 boxes out west with us! DH thought I was nuts buying food 3 days before we moved.

For spices - I highly recommend putting them in Ziplocs so that if they do happen to break open, then the mess is contained. Same with HBA stuff.

and label the boxes really big with the word FOOD. if you have to put anything in storage, it could be horrible for food to be in a storage unit. mice like to chew on anything they think smells like food.

Thanks for the tips! I have labeled everything with food so far, so I will make sure to continue. Great idea on putting stuff that may spill into a ziploc bag. I will be sure to do that.

Jennifer

I've always moved my food. The stuff I worry about exploding I simply wrap up in grocery bags and tie the top. That way if anything happens, it's contained and easy to toss. Why start over? Unless you donate it to the food bank, it's better off in your pantry at your new place.n

-babs