How to Keep Food Cold at a Picnic
- 1). Transport cold food properly. Keep food in a cooler filled with ice until you are ready to serve it. Cold food should remain at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or cooler. Ice packs can also help keep food at a safe temperature. Avoid opening the cooler as much as is possible.
- 2). Once you are ready to serve your cold food and have removed it from the cooler, set it on ice. Dishes can be set in bowls or containers of ice. Replace melting ice frequently, making sure to drain whatever water has collected.
- 3). Keep an eye on the time. Once food has been removed from the cooler and served, it should be out for a maximum of two hours. On days when the temperature reaches 90 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, the food should be removed after one hour. Food that is out for longer than these time periods should be discarded.
Source...