How to Pack Picnic Food

Warm weather is great for hosting a picnic, but the warmth creates opportunities for foodborne bacteria to thrive. Certain foods like salads must remain cool when packed in portable containers to prevent bacteria like E. coli from forming. Knowing how to pack picnic food properly minimizes the contamination risk, so follow these preparation steps.

• Instead of laying out your food underneath the sun, prep and cut food so it can be served or distributed while on ice. You don’t want to be caught cutting food next to outdoor critters or having to fight them off of your dishes.
• Pack refrigerated foods at the last minute to maintain their cold temperature. Exposing your meal to outdoor weather elements can cause it to spoil or cool too quickly.
• Rinse your fruits and vegetables under running water before packing them. Scrub firm-skinned produce with a clean vegetable brush under running water, then dry the produce with a clean cloth or paper towel before packing.

Tip: Pastries or baked goods like chocolate chip cookies simplify dessert options for your picnic experience. Packing a dessert like ice cream requires an extra type of cooling shelter like dry ice for it to stay frozen. 

The food storage container you use for the meals you prepare for a picnic is important. Containers keep your meats, salads and dairy foods separate and organized until it’s time to serve them. Use several types of containers to enjoy your meal without spoilage or contamination. 

• Use plastic vessels to keep liquid and cream condiments from spilling or making food soggy.
• Separate garnishes and spices in mini containers to add once food has been distributed at the picnic.
• Put salads in glass containers or jars so the sun doesn’t wilt them too quickly.
• Wrap sandwiches tightly in aluminum foil, plastic wrap or parchment paper to keep assembled and ready to serve.
• Pack watery sandwich add-ons like lettuce, pickles or sliced tomatoes separately to make sure they don't make the sandwiches soggy.
• Use flasks to keep beverages or drink mixers on-hand.
• Wrap glass bottles in a cloth or use a wine bag as a safe carrier to keep them from breaking.
• Plastic bags or storage containers can hold almost any food item and keep it at the desired temperature until you reach your destination. Use either of these storage items if you need room when packing. Be sure to use hard plastic storage containers to make sure nothing gets pressed.

Tip: Instead of adding ice to your picnic cooler, use frozen water bottles to help keep food cold.

Your food is ready to go, and you’ve gathered the necessities to eat outdoors. Now, it’s time to pack it all.

• First, if you are not packing a cooler with ice in it, line the picnic basket with a dry cloth in case of spills.
• Begin adding any packaged food to the carrier. Heavier food should go in first. Snacks can be left for packing at the end.
• Next, organize drinks on top of the food in such a way that it does not shift during transport. If you have glass bottles, carry those separately because they will make the carrier very dense.
• Lastly, tableware, paper towels and trash bags belong on top. This is also where light or bagged snacks can land so they are not crushed in transit.

Tip: Think heavy to light from bottom to top to get the best results when packing your picnic basket or insulated bag.