Now that your movers are long gone and you’ve started to unpacked some boxes and get settled into your apartment, you notice your stomach starts to growl. This reminds you that you need to do some food shopping and stock up on the essentials! That first post-move shopping trip can be a bit chaotic as you try to recall all the basics you will need for each room. From coffee to cleaning supplies, you need a bunch of stuff but you don’t want to spend hours wandering up and down the aisles of your local grocery or department store.

Here’s a handy list of what you will need to kick off your new apartment living.

Pantry Staples

No matter what you plan on cooking over the next few weeks, you’ll need a few staples to stock your pantry. These are items you can easily forget to pick up because you just take for granted that you always have them on hand. Now that you’re starting largely from scratch, make a list of:

• Broth
• Canned tomatoes
• Pasta sauce
• Dry pasta
• Rice
• Oats
• Coffee
• Tea
• Salt
• Dried or canned beans
• Snacks such as chips and salsa, pretzels, granola bars, etc.
• Cooking and salad oils such as sesame, vegetable, olive and coconut

Spices and Seasonings

Salt and pepper go a long way, but you’ll want to spice up your dishes with extra spices and seasonings sometimes. Start with:

• Peppercorn
• Basil
• Parsley
• Paprika
• Oregano
• Ginger
• Dill
• Garlic Powder
• Chili Powder
• Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
• Nutmeg
• Cinnamon
• Cumin
• Curry Powder

Baking

Do you love to whip up muffins, cakes and other baked goods? You’ll need the essentials, as well as vegan or gluten-free options if need be:

• Flour (white, whole wheat gluten free)
• Sugar (white and brown)
• Baking soda
• Baking powder
• Vanilla extract
• Vegetable oil
• Yeast
• Cocoa powder

Condiments and Sauces

Your cheeseburgers will need ketchup and your toast will need some jam, so be sure you have these on the shopping list:

• Salad dressings
• Mustard
• Ketchup
• Relish
• Maple Syrup
• Worcestershire sauce
• Soy sauce
• Mayonnaise
• Jelly
• Peanut or Almond Butter
• Honey
• BBQ sauce
• Vinegar (Balsamic, Apple Cider, White, Red/White Wine)

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

You’ll also want to eat healthy when in the new place, so you’ll have to shop for some fresh produce too:

• Apples
• Oranges
• Clementines, peaches, melon, plums
• Bananas
• Grapes
• Lemons
• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Avocados
• Potatoes
• Carrots
• Broccoli
• Squash
• Tomatoes
• Celery
• Mushrooms

Frozen Foods

You can’t always eat fresh produce, so you’ll need some frozen items for when you get home late from work or are too busy with the kids to cook:

• Mixed vegetables
• Berries
• Breakfast foods (sausage, frozen waffles, bagels)
• Ice cream
• Pizza
• Veggie burgers
• French fries
• Healthy prepared dinners

Toiletries

You’ll need the basics for your kitchen and bath, such as:

• Hand soap
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Toothbrushes and toothpaste
• Floss
• Cotton swabs
• Facial cleaner
• Deodorant
• Facial and body moisturizer
• Feminine products
• Shaving cream
• Razors
• Bandages
• Gauze
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Lip balm
• Sunscreen

Be sure to check your budget before setting out on your epic shopping adventure!

Contact Texas Best Moving and Storage

To get a free quote on your upcoming apartment move, contact us at our San Antonio or Lacoste offices.