The average American household has $500 to $800 worth of food in the pantry, fridge, and freezer at any given time. Moving companies will not transport perishable food, and frozen items will not survive a cross-country move. But with a simple 2-week plan, you can eat most of it, donate the rest, and avoid wasting money and food.
Two weeks before your move, stop buying groceries except milk, bread, and fresh essentials. Shift your meal planning to use what you already have. Get creative with pantry meals: pasta with canned tomatoes, rice with canned beans, oatmeal for breakfast. Make a freezer inventory and prioritize eating the most perishable and hardest-to-move items first, like frozen meats and ice cream. By the final week, you should be eating from what remains and supplementing with takeout. This approach saves $100 to $200 in groceries you would otherwise buy, reduces food waste, and eliminates the headache of packing food items.
Professional moving companies universally refuse to transport perishable food. This includes anything that requires refrigeration or freezing. Most will also decline open food packages, cooking oils, and anything in glass jars due to spill risk. Some movers will transport sealed, non-perishable items like canned goods and boxed pasta, but many prefer not to because food attracts pests during storage and transit. Check with your specific moving company about their food policy before packing day. For DIY moves in a rental truck, you have more flexibility but should still avoid transporting perishables on trips longer than one day. Food left in a hot truck for 24 or more hours is a health risk.
Non-perishable canned and boxed food can be donated to your local food bank. Most food banks accept items within 6 months of their expiration date. Some accept spices, condiments, and cooking oils as well. Call your local food bank before bringing items to confirm what they accept. Fresh produce, bread, and dairy that you cannot eat can go to neighbors or colleagues. Post on your local Buy Nothing group or Nextdoor. For items that cannot be donated or consumed, compost what you can and dispose of the rest. Spices lose potency over time, so if you are moving long-distance, consider leaving older spices behind and restocking at your destination. Cleaning out the fridge and pantry also makes for a lighter, less cluttered kitchen to pack.
Some food items are worth bringing to your new home. Transport condiments, expensive spices, specialty items, and unopened pantry staples in a clearly labeled box in your personal vehicle. Use a hard-sided cooler with ice packs for refrigerated items you want to keep. A quality cooler maintains safe temperatures for 12 to 18 hours. For local moves, this is plenty of time. For long-distance moves, plan to restock perishables at your destination. Pack frozen items only if your drive is under 6 hours and you have a good cooler with dry ice. Liquor and wine should travel in your personal vehicle in a wine box with dividers. Never transport liquids in the moving truck where they can shift, leak, and damage other belongings.
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Stop major grocery shopping 2 weeks before your move. Only buy essentials like milk and bread. Plan meals around what is already in your pantry, fridge, and freezer to use up as much as possible before moving day.
Only if your drive is under 6 hours and you have a quality cooler with dry ice. Frozen food will not survive in a moving truck. For longer moves, eat or donate frozen items before the move and restock at your destination.
Local food banks accept non-perishable canned and boxed food within 6 months of expiration. Neighbors and coworkers appreciate fresh produce and baked goods. Post on Nextdoor or Buy Nothing groups for quick local pickups.
Statistics and cost figures are based on industry averages and publicly available data, provided for informational purposes.
Data last reviewed: March 2026. Learn about our data
