09/02/2026
Perishable food should not be in the danger zone [4°C (40°F) - 60°C (140°F)] for longer than 2 hours! To keep cold food cold, try these tips:
❄ Use an insulated lunch bag, food grade ice packs, a frozen water bottle, or a frozen juice box (which will thaw by lunch and kids can drink!)
❄ Keep refrigerated food in the fridge right up until leaving the house.
To keep hot foods hot, try these tips:
✅ Store food in a thermos.
✅ Reheat food right before leaving the house.
You can also pack shelf stable lunches and snacks. Some examples:
➡ Whole fruits and vegetables (oranges, bananas, apples, carrots, etc.)
➡ Granola bars
➡ Muffins, cookies
➡ Chips/crackers
➡ Dried fruits
Items that don’t require refrigeration before opening (i.e. applesauce, fruit cups, etc.). Find storage requirements on product labels.