Trying to keep costs down! and healthier!!

[digskat]

leaving for Disney in 3 weeks ~ just wondering if I can pack some sandwiches and wraps, cut up veggies/ fruit for us to have on the ride down to Florida. What will we encounter at the border ~ is this allowed? Thanks!!!

 

[Gigi22]

You need to check the following website, http://help.hbp.gov
for information. Haven't taken food to the US myself, but you should be aware that fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as meat, may be problems. Be sure you declare that you are bringing foodstuffs with you.

 

[busyshrew]

We took snacks when going over the border by car. And we made very sure to declare it to the customs officer.

No citrus was the big thing he was concerned about. We had two apples and a banana (right there in plain view), and a small cooler with crackers, cheese and some cold-cut sandwiches. Those were fine and the officer said, "I'm assuming you're eating those soon?", we said yes, and were on our way.

And remember... no Kindereggs! (sorry, couldn't resist that one!).

 

[digskat]

why no kindereggs sorry I don;t get it lol

 

[dancin Disney style]

why no kindereggs sorry I don;t get it lol

Kinder eggs are banded in the USA. They will confiscate them at the border.

As to the food in the cooler...
We always take a cooler full of sandwiches, fruit/veg, drinks and snacks. Only one time have we been asked about the cooler and many times it has been sitting right in plain sight. It happened to be just this past August. All the officer was concerned about was did we have any citrus or tomatoes. We did not and he asked no other questions.

Make sure that your fruit has the origin sticker on it. Veggies....we just take bagged baby carrots. If deli meats worry you then stick to PB & J, tuna or egg salad.

 

[GrtWtNorth]

I sometimes pack an empty cooler and zip loc containers, then make a quick trip to a US Walmart or other grocery store.
In addition to basic groceries, kiddo and I stock up on things that we can only find in the US, like Peter Pan peanut butter, Mickey-shaped cheese snacks, shrimp-with-lime Mr. Noodles, etc. We also shamelessly stock up on "not found in Canada" stuff in fast food restaurants, like 4 different types of McDonald's BBQ sauces, hot sauce packets, etc. We eat at least one meal per day in the hotel room, which adds up over a week.