Like most business owners, you’re always looking for ways to save on expenses.

One common way to do this is by transporting your perishable goods yourself, rather than paying for shipping. However, summer temperatures can make it challenging to keep your items cold, leading to spoilage and wasted money.

Here are a few tips to help you keep your perishables cool while travelling.

Make Sure to Keep Cold Items Cold

Keeping food items hot or cold can be a real challenge.

Unfortunately, if food isn’t stored correctly and served at the right temperature, it can quickly spoil. Good food hygiene practices can help minimise the risk of foodborne illness.

But there’s no substitute for making sure to keep cold items cold. Here are some tips for making sure your food is always served to guests at the right temperature when transporting it:

• Use a cooler with ice packs. It will keep your cold food cool for 12 to 24 hours if properly packed, ensuring that the food is served at the right temperature when it is served.
• Leaving room in the cooler for the ice packs to expand as the water freezes is a crucial rule to minimise the risk of it expanding and breaking or cracking the cooler or the containers.
• Use durable coolers with proper insulation, such as high-density foam insulation. This will keep your food cold for up to 5 days.
• If carrying a cooler is not possible, use dry ice to keep fresh foods such as seafood and meats fresh for several hours. If using dry ice, be aware that it is toxic and only use it in a safe location.
• Make sure that the cooler is tightly closed. This will help keep out the air and prevent the food from warming up quickly.
• Insulated containers can help keep your perishables colder for longer when transporting them. Plus, these containers can protect your perishables from damage during travel, as they’re designed to withstand the rigours of rough terrain and bumpy roads.
• Consider having the food transported in a temperature-controlled vehicle by a third-party company. You will have to pay a fee for this service, but it will ensure that your food is stored at the proper temperature, reducing the danger of spoilage and guaranteeing that it is adequately served.
• Having your food transported by a large third-party company ensures the highest level of food safety.

By following these tips, you can ensure that you’re transporting your perishable goods at the right temperature, and you’ll significantly reduce the risk of spoilage.

This will also help you save money by reducing food waste during transportation.

Place Perishables in a Cooler With Plenty of Ice or Frozen Gel Packs

If you’ve packed your cooler with lots of ice or frozen gel packs, you need to ensure that it’s tightly secured and that there are no significant gaps around it.

An excellent tip to remember is to move your cooler around once in a while to distribute the cold evenly and keep things cool. This will help minimise the risk of spoilage and help keep your food as fresh as possible. Keeping your food well chilled will ensure that it arrives at its best. Transporting perishable foods in a hot car can lead to spoilage. If your perishables are transported at the wrong temperatures for a prolonged period, the food can become unappetising and unsafe to eat.

If you are worried about this, you should consider transporting it in a temperature-controlled vehicle from a reputable company. This can ensure your food is at the ideal temperature and stays fresh throughout your journey.

Insulate the Cooler With Towels, Blankets, or Newspapers

Adding a layer of insulation to your cooler will help keep your perishables cool for longer when transporting them.

It will also help keep the cold in and help stop the temperature fluctuations that cause condensation inside the cooler, damaging the contents. Choose towels or blankets that can absorb moisture to keep the cooling effect going for as long as possible. Newspaper is also a good option for adding insulation to the cooler and is easily disposable.

Use an Ice Chest If You’re Travelling a Long Distance

If you’re travelling a long distance, an ice chest is a practical option to keep your perishables cool during transport.

Ice chests are designed to protect food from damage during transport. An ice chest can keep items cool for up to 12 hours or 24 hours if several ice packs are used at a time. They are also designed to withstand rough transport and terrain, making them an ideal option for transporting perishables.

An ice chest is a great way to keep your perishables cool during transport and ensure they arrive in perfect condition. If you don’t have access to an ice chest, consider using a third-party company to distribute your food in a temperature-controlled vehicle instead.

These types of companies have several temperature-controlled vehicles that can transport your food safely and at the right temperature. This is particularly useful if you’re travelling a long distance but need to deliver perishables to their destination quickly and safely, as they can help deliver your food on the same day!

Transport Food in Airtight Containers Whenever Possible

Excessive condensation can spoil the contents of your food if left for too long. Refrigerating containers can help minimise condensation by allowing a controlled airflow in and out of the container.

Many containers designed for freezing can also be used for refrigeration purposes. When transporting your perishables, always place your food in airtight containers or ziplock bags to prevent any possibility of the food being spoiled by leakage and to keep the air out.

Remember to look for one with a sealable lid or one that can be sealed using a vacuum sealer, as this will keep your food fresher for longer when moving. You are probably aware of third-party companies that offer temperature-controlled distribution, but something many people don’t know is that many of these types of companies also offer storage too, so if you know you will be transporting your food for a certain distance and want to prepare it the night before, then you could store it overnight and then pick it up the next morning, all ready for delivery.

This can help keep the food at the correct temperatures so that you can keep your perishables cool during transportation and keep them at their best for as long as possible!

Keep Track of the Time and Temperature Inside the Cooler

Keeping track of how much time your perishables spend in their coldest state before they reach your destination can help you assess any spoilage that may have occurred and give you an idea of how long your food will be safe to eat.

Suppose there is the possibility of your perishables being damaged by temperature during transport. In that case, you can prepare for this by ensuring that the food stays at its coldest state for as long as possible and that it’s kept at the right temperature, so it doesn’t spoil. These steps can still not guarantee that your perishables will survive transportation or reach you in the best condition.

If you know you will transport your perishables over a certain distance, you could prepare them just a little and then keep them chilled in the fridge overnight until you are ready to transport them. This can help keep them fresh for longer and even extend their shelf life.

Another way is to let someone else do it, such as a temperature-controlled distribution company. Using a company like this can ensure that food is transported at the correct temperature and arrives right on time!

If you know how to monitor the temperature inside a vehicle, cooler, or bag, you are ready for any situation that may arise!

Conclusion

When transporting food for a picnic or other outdoor event, it’s important to remember the basics of food safety.

Keeping cold items cold can prevent bacteria from growing and making your guests sick. Make sure to place perishables in a cooler with plenty of ice or frozen gel packs, and insulate the cooler with towels, blankets, or newspapers.

If you’re travelling a long distance, use an ice chest instead of relying on the built-in cooling system in your car. Transport food in airtight containers whenever possible, and keep track of the time and temperature inside the cooler.

With these tips in mind, you can rest assured that your next outdoor gathering will be safe and delicious!