Preparing to move into a new home is exhilarating, but the number of details you have to manage — including what to do with your food — can be stressful and exhausting. S & S Delivery have provided premium relocation services to residents in Honolulu, HI, since 1977. Over the years, they’ve devised several helpful techniques that make the moving process go smoothly. Below, their expert movers list three ways you can pack and organize your food during the big move.

What to Do With Food When Moving

1. Toss & Cook

Before packing anything, sort through and get rid of the food in your pantry that is close to expiring, if not already expired. This will save you some much-needed space for items that would be put to good use in the future. Frozen foods should be cooked rather than tossed — it keeps good food from going to waste and saves you the hassle of buying extra coolers and ice to keep food from thawing out during the move.

2. Pack Correctly

For more fragile items that can easily tear and spill, such as bags of flour and ketchup containers, seal them firmly in a sturdy container or bag. Heavier items like canned food should be stored in the bottom of the boxes so they don’t crush lighter items. Clearly label the perishable boxes so you know to prioritize those food items in your new home. Food in glass jars and bottles are susceptible to spillage and cracks that would be a nightmare to clean and dangerous to handle, so make sure they’re packed safely with bubble wrap and packing peanuts.

3. Donate

Wasted food is essentially money going down the drain. If your friends and neighbors can’t adopt your leftover pantry, consider giving any non-expired foods to your local food banks or shelters. Canned foods and unopened jars are the easiest items to donate, plus it can lighten the overall haul.

When you have a trusted, professional moving company taking care of your valued possessions, a weight can be lifted off your shoulders during your move. The team at S & S Delivery will move anything from furniture to pianos and even single items that require specific handling. For more information about their services, visit their website or call (808) 833-1857 for a quote.