Summer is trying its best to break through those rainy days — and once the sun finally sticks around, it’s picnic season in full swing! Whether you’re headed to the park, beach, or just your backyard, nothing says summer like sharing a meal outdoors. But before you unpack that cooler, let’s talk food safety — because sunshine is great, but food poisoning? Not so much.
Food Safety Tip of the Month: Keep Cold Foods Cold & Hot Foods Hot!
Your picnic might be picture-perfect, but if food temps go rogue, it could turn into a not-so-fun memory. Keep it safe with these easy tips:
Cold Food Know-How
Cold perishable foods should be kept in a cooler at 40 °F or below right up until it’s time to eat.
- Once served, they can sit out for no more than 2 hours — or just 1 hour if it’s over 90 °F outside (hello, heatwave!).
- Items like chicken salad or fruit parfaits in small dishes? Pop them right on top of ice, or place the dish in a shallow container nestled in a deep pan filled with ice.
- Pro tip: Drain off water as the ice melts and refresh it often to keep things chilly.
Hot Food Hacks
Hot food needs to stay hot — 140 °F or warmer is the magic number.
- Keep it tightly wrapped and tucked inside an insulated container to hold in that heat.
- And just like cold food, hot dishes shouldn’t linger on the picnic table for more than 2 hours (1 hour if it’s really toasty out).
- If it’s been out too long, don’t risk it — when in doubt, throw it out!
And hey — we know the rain has been hanging around a little too much lately, but blue skies and sunny weekends are on their way. So when the clouds finally part, you’ll be ready to picnic like a pro, with delicious food and smart safety habits.
Here’s to sunny days, full plates, and no leftovers left in the sun.