Families on the go need mobile meals. Keep it simple and use packing shortcuts whenever possible so you'll have more time for fun with family and friends!

When packing a picnic, a quick bite for the soccer game sidelines or treats for a road trip, keep these handy food storage ideas in mind:

• Traveling buddies. Bags nestle more snuggly than boxes into a cooler or picnic basket, so pack what you can in plastic food storage bags rather than lidded storage containers. (Bags can be washed and reused, too, just like their container counterparts!) Sturdy foods like carrot sticks, string cheese, grapes and apple slices are none the worse for the wear when they travel side-by-side in bags.  

• Chill out when you arrive. No sense using ice and cooler space to chill beverages while traveling when you can quickly cool drinks down by planting them in a bucket of ice when you arrive, or simply add a couple ice cubes to each glass before serving. Save the space in your cooler for food that must be kept cold, and pick up a bag of ice just before you arrive at your destination.

• Zip it before you flip it. Put any potentially leaky or breakable items in a zippered plastic food storage bag before you travel. Lodge items securely between other items in your cooler or basket so they stay upright.  

• Make it here, bake it there. Just because you're traveling doesn't mean you can't bring a showstopper dessert and wow the party! Bring dough packed in a cooler and bake when you arrive at your destination, rather than trying to pack soft cookies or sticky frosted cupcakes. (Not yeast-based dough, though, unless you want a rising doughy mess in transit!) Other ideas for make-it-there fun: chocolate fondue with angel food cake chunks, ice cream sandwich cookies or berry pie!

• Snip it for a snippet of icing. Cakes, brownies and cookies can be iced with frosting you prepared at home (or purchased) and transported in a zippered plastic food storage bag. When you get to your destination, simply snip the bottom corner of the bag and drizzle the icing onto the goodies for a quick, no-mess finish!  

• Freeze it first.  Fill reusable large drinking bottles half way with water, then freeze. When ready to leave for a soccer game or outing, remove the bottles from the freezer and fill the remainder of the way with cold water. Your drinking water will stay icy cold for a long time. The hotter the day, the more water you should freeze, but keep at least a couple inches at the top free for expansion during freezing. For a refreshing twist, add a tablespoon of fresh or bottled lemon juice to the water before you freeze it!

More food ideas:

Easy Summer Meals
Keeping Picnic Food Safe
Outdoor Entertaining
Super Summer Sandwiches