Military movers provide a valuable service to service members and their families by assisting with relocation. However, when it comes to packing and transporting food, some restrictions and guidelines need to be followed. In this article, we will explore whether military movers will pack food, what types of food can be packed, and how to prepare food for transport properly.
Will Military Movers Pack Food
Yes, military movers will pack food, but there are restrictions on what can be packed. According to the Defense Personal Property Program (DP3), military movers cannot transport perishable items such as fresh fruits and vegetables, frozen foods, and refrigerated items. These items are considered high-risk and may spoil during transport, leading to potential health hazards.
Additionally, items that are open or partially used, such as condiments and spices, may not be transported by military movers. This is because they are at a higher risk of spilling or leaking during transport, which could damage other transported items.
What Types of Food Can Be Packed?
Non-perishable items can be packed and transported by military movers. These items include dry goods, canned goods, and sealed beverages. Examples of non-perishable items that can be packed and transported by military movers include:
- Canned foods: such as soups, fruits, and vegetables
- Dry goods: such as pasta, rice, cereal, and crackers
- Sealed beverages: such as water, soda, and juice boxes
- Snacks: such as cookies, chips, and popcorn
It is important to note that some items may be subject to certain restrictions or regulations. For example, certain items may not be allowed in certain countries due to customs regulations or local laws.
Why Perishable Items Is Not Allowed to Be Moved
Perishable items are not allowed to be moved by military movers due to several reasons. First, perishable items such as fresh fruits and vegetables, frozen foods, and refrigerated items are highly susceptible to spoilage and deterioration, especially when exposed to varying temperatures during transport. This can lead to the development of harmful bacteria, resulting in potential health hazards for those who consume the items.
Secondly, perishable items are more prone to spillage and leakage during transport, which can cause damage to other items being transported. This can also attract pests and insects, further compromising the safety and quality of the items being moved.
Moreover, transporting perishable items requires specialized equipment and storage facilities, such as refrigerated trucks and temperature-controlled containers. These additional requirements can increase the complexity and cost of the move, making it more difficult and expensive for military movers to handle.
The military has established guidelines and restrictions on the items that military movers can move to avoid these potential risks and challenges. By limiting the types of items that can be moved, the military can ensure that the move is carried out safely, efficiently, and without any health or safety risks to the service members and their families.
How to Properly Prepare Food for Transport
When preparing food for transport, it is crucial to follow specific guidelines to ensure that the items are properly packed and protected during transit. Some tips for adequately preparing food for transport include:
- Seal all items: They should be sealed in original packaging or plastic bags. This will help prevent items from spilling or leaking during transport.
- Use sturdy boxes: Use sturdy, corrugated cardboard boxes to pack food items. Boxes should be tightly packed to prevent shifting during transport.
- Label boxes: Label all boxes containing food items with the contents and the room they belong in. This will make unpacking and organizing easier.
- Keep a separate box for open or partially used items: If you have open or partially used items such as condiments or spices, keep them in a separate box. This will prevent them from leaking or spilling on other items.
- Don’t overpack: Do not overpack boxes containing food items. Overpacking can cause boxes to break or become too heavy for movers to handle safely.
Who is allowed to Move Military Stuff?
Moving military stuff, such as equipment, supplies, and personal belongings of service members, is a task that is typically carried out by the military itself or by authorized moving companies that the military has approved.
Military personnel trained in logistics and transportation are responsible for coordinating and managing the movement of military equipment and supplies. This includes planning, organizing, and executing the movement of materials and ensuring that everything arrives at its destination safely and on time.
Regarding the personal belongings of service members, the military provides several options for moving and transporting items. Service members can choose to make a Do-It-Yourself (DITY) move and get reimbursed by the military for the cost of the move. Alternatively, they can have the military move their belongings using authorized moving companies.
Authorized moving companies are companies that the military has approved to move the personal belongings of service members. These companies must meet specific criteria and standards to be authorized, including having appropriate licenses, insurance, and experience in moving military personnel and their families.
Service members are typically provided with a list of authorized moving companies to choose from, and they can select the company that best fits their needs and budget. The moving company will then pack and transport the service member’s belongings to their new duty station, with the cost covered by the military.
Military movers can pack non-perishable food items, but perishable items such as fresh fruits and vegetables, frozen foods, and refrigerated items cannot be transported. It is essential to properly prepare food items for transport by sealing them in their original packaging or sealed plastic bags, using sturdy boxes, labeling boxes, keeping a separate box for open or partially used items, and not overpacking boxes.
By following these guidelines, service members and their families can ensure that their food items are appropriately packed and protected during transport and arrive at their destination safely and without damage.