The best picnics and BBQs feature hot sunny weather, lots of family and friends and, perhaps best of all, plenty of yummy food and thirst-quenching beverages. But to get the most out of a truly enjoyable outdoor event, all your fare has to get there intact. Whether you’re traveling by car or just walking from the kitchen to the backyard, a lack of proper containers to store and carry your fare can prove disastrously messy. Enter the Rubbermaid’s TakeAlongs containers—ideal for securely storing and moving your BBQ-related cuisine.

Picnic picks
Of course the key to the perfect picnic happens before you leave the house, with proper packing to keep your food safe and delicious.

Fresh fruit – Slices of melon pineapple, apples, oranges and strawberries all travel well without changing color or softening up. Keep them in TakeAlongs and put them back into the ice chest after serving, so remaining fruit is always at its freshest. For whole unsliced fruit such as berries and strawberries, store and serve in Produce Saver containers that elevate the produce out of moisture and allow them to breathe, preserving their life.

Salad – Vinaigrette-based bean or vegetable salads are always a safer bet than mayonnaise-based potato or pasta salads. Pack the salad in a TakeAlongs Large Round Bowl. If it has lettuce in it, serve dressing on the side to prevent wilting.

Barbecuing meat - Burgers, hot dogs, steaks, ribs or chicken are typically the star attractions. Keep raw meat separate from prepared foods in its own cooler, or at least secured until grill time. (Don’t forget to bring a meat thermometer and aim to cook things on the well-done side.)

Drinks - A large-capacity cooler or ice chest is essential, plus plenty of Blue Ice to keep it cold inside. Rubbermaid’s 24 Quart Cooler provides superior thermal protection, as well as a stain- and odor-resistant liner that’s easy to clean. It can hold up to 30 cans plus ice (or a combination of cans and food; see below). It’s also a good idea to stay hydrated by sipping water throughout the day. If you’re picnicking away from home, cut litter by bringing personal water bottles for your family, and refilling from a Victory water jug throughout the day.

Truckin’ your treats
When carrying food to another location, keep it cold and fresh. Use an insulated cooler with sufficient ice or Blue Ice packs to keep the food at 40 °F or below. Pack food right from the refrigerator into the cooler immediately before leaving home. Keep the cooler in the coolest part of the car. With some preparation (and a little help from Rubbermaid) your outdoor BBQ event can be a true summertime success.