Sending food between the UK and Lithuania

Why food parcels matter

Ask any Lithuanian in London what they miss most and the answer often involves food: dark rye bread, curd cheese snacks, real buckwheat, smoked sausage, grandmother's pickles. Going the other way, families in Lithuania love English tea, biscuits, chocolate and the sweets the grandchildren talk about. Siuntų Bitė itself started with two friends in London waiting for a loaf of black bread from home.

Food can travel with us, but our vans are not refrigerated and are not designed for temperature-sensitive goods. The sender takes full responsibility for which food is sent and how it is packed. That makes choosing the right food the most important step.

Food that travels well

Choose food that keeps at room temperature for at least a couple of weeks and is sealed in its original packaging where possible.

• Rye bread, preferably vacuum-packed or very fresh and well wrapped
• Honey, jams and preserves in sealed jars
• Sweets, chocolate, biscuits and cakes in their packaging
• Tea, coffee, dried mushrooms, buckwheat and other dry goods
• Tinned food and sealed pickles
• Spices, sauces and condiments in unbroken containers

Meat, dairy and perishables

Meat and dairy products are where most problems happen. They are sensitive to temperature, and they are also subject to strict animal health rules when crossing between Great Britain and the European Union. These rules apply to private parcels as well as commercial shipments and have been tightened at times because of animal disease outbreaks.

Before sending sausage, smoked meat, cheese, curd or butter in either direction, check the current rules on the official government websites. If the rules allow it, use vacuum-sealed products with a long shelf life and be aware that you send them at your own risk. Fresh meat, raw fish and fresh dairy should not be sent at all.

If a product is not allowed or is too risky, there is usually a good alternative. Instead of homemade cheese, send honey, sweets or dried mushrooms. Instead of a smoked ham, send tea, coffee or a good box of chocolates. Your family will still feel the care that went into the parcel.

Packing jars and bottles

Glass jars are the most common cause of a sticky parcel. Make sure each lid is tight, wrap the lid in cling film, and put each jar in its own sealed food bag. Then wrap it in bubble wrap or a towel and place it upright in the middle of the box, away from the sides. Fill the gaps so jars cannot touch each other.

Remember that alcoholic drinks are prohibited in our parcels, so homemade fruit wine or bitters cannot travel, even in small quantities.

Bread and baked goods

Lithuanian rye bread is famously long-lasting, but it still needs care. Send it as fresh as possible, wrapped in paper and then a breathable bag, or buy vacuum-packed loaves. Avoid sealing fresh bread in airtight plastic, which can make it sweat. Cakes travel best in a rigid tin or box so they are not squashed.

Plan around the season

In summer, the inside of a van can get warm, so chocolate and soft sweets may melt and some foods spoil faster. Send delicate items in cooler months or choose hard sweets and biscuits instead. Before Christmas and Easter, demand peaks and parcels with festive food are at their most popular, so book early to be sure your treats arrive for the holiday.

Labelling food parcels

List the food contents clearly when you book, for example honey 2 jars, rye bread 2 loaves, sweets 1 kg. Accurate descriptions help with any customs questions and let us handle the parcel appropriately. Keep food separate from clothes and documents inside the box, in case anything leaks.

It also helps to tell the recipient what is coming. If your mother in Lithuania knows there is honey and dried mushrooms in the box, she can put them away as soon as it arrives instead of leaving the parcel in a warm hallway. The same goes for a food parcel arriving in England: unpack it promptly, check the jars and enjoy the taste of home.