--- title: What to Do With Food and the Pantry Before a Move url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-pantry/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving guides](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/) - What to do with food and the pantry # What to do with food and the pantry Plan the pantry two weeks ahead: use what you can, donate sealed items you will not use and pack only unopened dry goods. Perishables and anything frozen stay out of the truck. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) Food is the one category that spoils on its own schedule. A pantry full of half-open bags is also the most likely source of ants and spills on the way. The goal is to arrive with a short list of well-sealed staples, not a crate of everything. ## Eat down the freezer and fridge Two weeks out, plan meals around what is in the freezer and the refrigerator. FoodSafety.gov publishes a chart showing how long common foods stay safe in the refrigerator and the freezer, which helps you decide what to eat first. Anything frozen or chilled at the start of a long move is a risk, and a warm truck is not a refrigerator. Plan to carry a small cooler with you for essential items. ## Sort the pantry by type Pull everything out and sort into four piles: unopened and shelf-stable, opened, expired and donate. Unopened cans and boxes are good candidates for a food bank, and local pantries often accept them. Throw away expired foods and anything with a broken seal. Ready.gov explains safe handling for stored food, including checking cans for dents and bulges. ## Pack what is moving Use small cartons for cans and jars, since they are heavy. Place heavy cans on the bottom, and tape the box well. Put dry goods such as flour, rice and pasta in zip bags or sealed jars, so a tear in the bag will not make a mess. Wrap glass jars and bottles in paper. Spices go together in a small box, upright, with the lids taped. - Stand bottles upright with their lids taped. - Keep opened bags of flour and sugar in sealed containers. - Label the carton pantry and the heaviest contents. ## What movers cannot carry Perishable food, open containers and anything that could spoil, spill or attract pests is often left off the truck. Aerosol cooking spray and cooking fuel may also be on the list; check [what movers will not move](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/what-movers-will-not-move/). Ask your estimator at the in-home estimate about food, plants and anything else that falls on the borderline. ## The first-day groceries Pack a small box of items for the first day, such as coffee, tea, snacks, salt and pepper, and a few staples. It rides in your car. The kitchen is covered in [how to pack a kitchen](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-kitchen/), and the [first-night box](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/first-night-box/) is a good companion. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [FoodSafety.gov, Cold Food Storage Chart](https://www.foodsafety.gov/food-safety-charts/cold-food-storage-charts) - [Ready.gov, Food](https://www.ready.gov/food) - [FMCSA, Protect Your Move](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move) ### Free in-home estimate - An O'Brien's estimator walks through your home - A written, itemized estimate - 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep [How our estimates work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [How to pack a kitchen](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-kitchen/) - [What movers will not move (hazardous items)](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/what-movers-will-not-move/) - [What goes in a first-night box](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/first-night-box/) Moving guides ## Read next - [Packing room by room: the order that works](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/packing-room-by-room/) - [How pianos are moved](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-move-a-piano/) - [How pool tables are moved](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-move-a-pool-table/) - [How hot tubs are moved](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-move-a-hot-tub/) - [How to move a refrigerator](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-move-a-refrigerator/) - [How to move a washer and dryer](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-move-a-washer-and-dryer/) - [How to move a grandfather clock](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-move-a-grandfather-clock/) - [How to move a chandelier](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-move-a-chandelier/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### Can I move frozen food? A long drive is risky even with a cooler. Eat what you can, donate what you cannot, and pack a small cooler for the trip. ### What about spices and baking supplies? Spices are light and easy to carry. Tape the lids and pack them upright in a small carton. ### Should I donate unopened food? Yes. Local food banks usually accept sealed items with a date that has not passed; call ahead to check their hours. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) T Tommy B. August 21, 2026 Great local business. Very family oriented with highly knowledgeable staff with remarkable employees going the extra mile. If you need a moving service for any reason, go here. ### Owner's reply Thanks Tommy appreciate you giving us a review. R Robert B. June 22, 2026 The movers were very professional and took care of my stuff there were no worries and stress free amazing job. J Janet M. May 16, 2026 I was so impressed with the way the crew handled and packed each piece of furniture for short term storage. They were polite and professional. I would highly recommend them to anyone planning a move. ### Owner's reply Janet we are so glad to hear that your move was a great success and we sincerely appreciate you providing us with this wonderful review. We will continue to provide you with the best service as we move forward. ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070