A ham lunch away from home starts with the journey. Before choosing a container, check which ingredients need chilling and what will be available on arrival. The same approach works for the office, a park visit or a picnic; the destination changes, but the storage directions still apply.
Read labels, chill ingredients that need it and pack just before leaving. Keep perishable food refrigerated during travel and until eating; an insulated bag without a cold source does not replace refrigeration.
Start with storage requirements
Read the directions for the specific ham and its accompaniments. Curing or vacuum packaging does not override the label. A prepared salad may need chilling even when some separate ingredients do not. If you cannot maintain the required conditions during travel and the wait, choose a different meal before leaving.
Pack the cold sources and keep foods separate
Keep foods needing refrigeration in the fridge until departure. Use a cooler or insulated lunch bag with frozen packs; USDA recommends at least two cold sources for a bag containing perishables. Close containers, separate ready-to-eat food from raw food and prevent melted ice water from touching the meal.
Jamones Paco Heredia for this article
Current selection from the related collection. Check format, weight and directions on each product page.
Jamones Paco Heredia
Current selection from the related collection. Check format, weight and directions on each product page.
View the collection →At work or at your picnic spot
Refrigerate perishables on arrival when a fridge is available. Otherwise keep the cooler in shade, open it as little as possible and take out only what you will serve. Do not leave it in a hot car. The general limit outside refrigeration is 2 hours for perishables, or 1 hour above 32 °C; these are not recommended waiting times or a guaranteed bag performance.
Picnic food storage: Spanish Ministry of Consumer Affairs. Food safety: FoodSafety.gov.
The selection follows the Jamones Paco Heredia catalogue. Editorial photographs illustrate formats; check the collection for current products and their details.
Assemble a simple meal when you eat
Pack bread separately to keep it dry, washed vegetables in their own container and ham according to its directions. Assemble a sandwich or plate with clean hands and utensils. The ham, tomato and cucumber salad gives a concrete combination; maintain chilling during its journey too. Choose from ham and shoulder packs, checking weight and label rather than assuming identical storage.