When you consider how to pack food for your move, less is more. For single guys and gals, apartment dwellers, or anyone who eats out frequently, this shouldn't be a problem. Your goal should be a nearly empty refrigerator on moving day (minus cold cuts, bread and drinks for your moving helpers if you're doing it yourself), so you don't have to worry about items spilling or breaking.

Set aside money in your moving budget for a big grocery shopping trip after you arrive at your destination. The grief you'll save yourself by not having to deal with packing that leaky jar of spaghetti sauce will be worth it.

Food Packing for a Family

For a family that normally stocks up on the essentials and more, food packing for a long-distance move becomes trickier. In the months leading up to your move, slowly deplete your overstock of food. Defrost meats to eat and don't replace them. Don't open that new, 64 oz. bottle of ketchup; buy a smaller bottle that will last until the move (or do without for a little while).

Focus on ridding your refrigerator and freezer of leftovers, frozen meats not in sealed boxes, and opened bags of frozen vegetables. These packing tips will show you the best way to pack the rest. If your trip will take more than about four hours, consider donating any frozen foods that are left unopened to a food pantry or giving it to a neighbor or friend.

What Food to Pack

With a few exceptions, you want to pack only items in sealed boxes, cans or bottles. It's cheaper to replace anything else than to have to deal with a spill. Follow this packing checklist for food packing success.

What to dump:

• Leftovers
• Opened bags of frozen foods
• Opened bags of cookies, chips, etc.
• Opened jars of food and condiments (pickles, ketchup, mustard, sauces, etc.)
• Frozen meats and vegetables (if your trip is far)
• Defrosted meats
• Cold cuts
• Eggs
• Flour, sugar and other staples that are opened
• Opened beverage bottles or containers

What to take:

• Canned goods, sealed jarred goods
• Dry, boxed items like cereal, crackers, macaroni
• Sealed beverages, sealed condiments
• Sealed bags of chips, cookies, bread
• Flour, sugar in sealed bags

How to Pack Food for a Move

As you can see, the list of food you'll be packing for your move is very short. Follow these packing tips to move them safely and efficiently.

• Canned goods: Pack canned goods first in a sturdy box. Make sure the box is not too heavy.
• Dry, boxed items: You can pack these on top of cans and jars, or in their own box. If a package is open, place it in a large zipper storage bag to keep a spill contained.
• Unopened beverages, condiments: Pack heavier plastic bottles on the bottom.
• Sealed chips, cookies, cake: These are best in their own box or a plastic shopping bag, with heavier items like cakes and cookies on the bottom and chips and bread on top.
• Sealed flour, sugar: Use a plastic shopping bag, tied shut, for these items. Place each item in its own zipper storage bag and seal it shut with duct tape. You can then pack these safely in any box with kitchen items.

Special thanks to Shawn Dumark for sharing this photo of her pantry.