Give raw meat its own cooler

The safest way to pack a picnic is to keep raw meat in a separate cooler from ready-to-eat food, full stop.

It’s not about being paranoid — it’s about gravity and juices. Raw meat leaks, even when you think it’s sealed. A separate cooler removes any chance of that juice dripping onto your bread, salad, or fruit. If you only have one cooler, pack the raw meat in a sealed container, put it in a zip-top bag, and place it at the very bottom. That way, even if something leaks, it drips away from everything else.

Also remember the whole point is temperature. Keep cold food under 40°F. Ice packs on top and bottom help, and don’t open the cooler more than you have to. For a long drive, put the raw meat in a frozen state if you can — it buys you time.

Raw meat gets its own real estate. Your potato salad should never share a space with raw chicken juice. Fresh air and good fences make good picnics.