The best & easiest way to pack and transport lunches for maximum freshness & flavour.

Here’s the thing, we all have different requirements for our lunches.

While most people in offices have access to some sort of refrigeration, school children (and winemakers) often need to store their lunches in their lockers.

And then there’s the difference in the seasons. In Winter time most lunches will sit in the car or in your bag happily for a few hours without any problems. But mid Summer lunches will be wilted and icky if given the same treatment.

1. Choose the appropriate temperature.
Temperature is the most important factor for maintaining freshness.

Think about the season and your situation and plan accordingly. You may be fine at ambient temperature or you may need to invest in a chiller bag. My Mum used to pack our lunchboxes with a frozen drink in the middle of Summer to keep everything cool.

Also remember some dishes are more delicate and need cooler temps to stay fresh. A salad will wilt out of the fridge for long but a hearty stew will be fine out of the fridge for a day or at least until lunch time.

2. Choose the appropriate coverage.
Exposure to air can decrease freshness due to reactions to the air and moisture transfer. Crisp things tend to pick up moisture and go soggy if not protected. And of course moist food can dry out and go hard.

For most food it’s as simple as keeping it in some sort of container. So no need to over think this one, just wanted you to be aware of these factors.

For more recommendations on the best containers, see [The number 1. piece of equipment you need for your healthy lunch habit].

And that’s it!

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