| Summer is finally here and for a lot of us that means | | | | 5. You might want to bring 2 coolers -- 1 for drinks, |
| heading out to the lake or to the park for a picnic | | | | because it will be opened more often, and 1 for the |
| with friends or family. | | | | food, that can be set in the shade and kept closed |
| Unfortunately, if we're not careful when we plan, | | | | until needed. |
| transport and serve that picnic, our outing might not | | | | 6. If you're planning to cook hamburgers at the picnic |
| end up happily. | | | | site, shape your meat into patties and freeze before |
| Here are some tips to remember when planning an | | | | putting into the cooler. Take along a meat |
| outdoor meal: | | | | thermometer to be sure you cook the meat to an |
| 1. Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Bacteria | | | | internal temperature of at least 160 degrees. |
| multiply quickly at temperatures between 40 and 140 | | | | 7. An extra zip-top bag full of ice can be placed in the |
| degrees. Foods that have been kept at unsafe | | | | top of the cooler. The extra ice will come in handy |
| temperatures are a prime source of foodborne | | | | for the trip home. If your day is a long one, and the |
| illnesses. | | | | ice melts the cold water can come in handy, also. |
| 2. Plan ahead and try to take foods that don't spoil | | | | 8. Carry your cooler inside your car, instead of in |
| so quickly. At any rate, don't eat anything that's been | | | | your hot trunk and be sure to place it in a shady |
| sitting out for more than an hour, especially if the | | | | spot and maybe even cover it with a blanket when |
| temperature is over 80. | | | | you reach your destination. Open it only when |
| 3. Try to take only the amount of food that will be | | | | necessary. |
| eaten, so there will be no leftovers. | | | | 9. Instead of bringing whole jars of condiments, pack |
| 4. Pack your food with ice or cold packs in an | | | | what you will need into smaller plastic containers. |
| insulated cooler. Place foods that will be eaten last in | | | | 10. Bring lots of clean utensils for serving as well as |
| the bottom. You can make your own blocks of ice | | | | eating. Pack pre-moistened towelettes and paper |
| by freezing water in milk cartons or other plastic | | | | towels for easy cleanup. |
| containers. | | | | 11. And remember this rule from the U.S. Department |
| Place ice blocks or cold packs between containers of | | | | of Agriculture regarding leftovers: When in doubt, |
| food, never just place containers of food on top of | | | | throw it out! |
| ice. | | | | |