Food for the Ride

For many travelers, packing up invariably entails taking along food. Picnic lunches, restaurant leftovers and snacks provide readily available refreshment, but also pose logistic questions for storage, handling and disposal. Not to fear. Herewith, a feast of new travel accessories to aid eaters on the go--including that most demanding of consumers, the family toddler. Prices do not include taxes or shipping. Many of these items may be available in local retail stores.

I seldom travel anywhere without a cooler of some sort to hold some cold cans of soda, a sandwich or leftovers from restaurant meals. On road trips, I never know when the day will call for picnicking, and when checking into hotels late at night, I like to have along a pint of skim milk for early morning coffee (I also carry a mini coffee maker). But I travel light, so I don’t want anything space-consuming or heavy, especially since the cooler frequently will be empty.

I’ve found the perfect solution with the folding zippered coolers from Totes, the rainwear people. These featherweight insulators come in two sizes--one about the size of a six-pack, the other double that size. Folded, neither takes up more space than a lightweight sweater. The rugged nylon shell is lined with heavy-duty PVC foam insulation encased in a waterproof plastic lining. When folded, the lid snaps shut against the cooler body. When open, two cotton straps make it easy to carry. I’ve tested these coolers on daylong outings; cold contents have retained their temperature for many hours--a welcome surprise considering the coolers’ light weight. I’ve also found another strategic use for the coolers--storage of photographic film in hot climates, where high temperatures could ruin the emulsion.

Totes folding coolers in a variety of colors are about $10 for the small size and about $12 for the large size at department stores, Totes Factory Stores, or by mail order; telephone (800) 962-5600. For smaller storage jobs, the 6 1/4- by 4 1/4- by 11 1/2-inch high nylon Lunch Coolers from Lands’ End are a great improvement on your basic brown bag. A zip-open insulated bottom compartment keeps hot food separated from the cold stuff (or vice versa). The larger insulated top section, which folds down and seals via Velcro tabs, works well for sandwiches, fruit and other goodies. I keep one on hand for each member of the family, with a magic marker to identify personal bags--a great boon when culinary selections vary.

Lunch Cooler Bag in navy or yellow (1865-3B17) is $7.50 from Lands’ End; tel. (800) 356-4444. While finger food is always handy on the go, some meals call for utensils. Most plastic ware breaks easily, and disposal violates environmental correctness. The portable stainless steel flatware sets from Zelco, a New York manufacturer of travel accessories, are a classy solution to civilized dining en route . The handles of the fork and spoon slide into the handle of the sturdy serrated knife and are secured by a snap-on cover, which also keeps the utensils clean. Everything is dishwasher-safe, making these sets attractive for barbecues at home as well.

Zelco Mangia portable eating utensils is $10 per setting ($50 for service for six) from the manufacturer; tel. (800) 431-2486. Plastic snap-on covers come in black, white, red or green. Although most family-style restaurants keep a stash of highchairs on hand, sometimes the seats are in short supply--and they may not be around at all in places that do not cater to children. The Snack and Play II portable highchair and booster from Evenflo, an Ohio manufacturer of children’s furniture, solves that problem and more. The plastic molded seat with tray attaches to most four-legged chairs via sturdy straps to become an instant portable highchair (it can hold a child weighing up to 50 pounds). When the child is skilled enough to eat at a table, the tray can be removed and the Snack and Play becomes a booster seat (the three-position seat can be adjusted as the child grows.) For car trips, this is a useful item to have around just in case, and it can come in handy at home when very young visitors come to call.

Evenflo Snack and Play II is about $25 at department stores. For a store near you, contact the manufacturer; tel. (800) 233-5921. During road trips, the back of my car frequently looks like a dumpster, with paper bags from fast-food joints brimming with hamburger wrappers, soft drink cups and chicken bones, much of which spilled onto the floor. No more. The Trash Away is a big waterproof nylon-vinyl litter bag that hangs from the back of the seat headrest or around the glove box latch, attaching via straps and buckle. The bag holds three gallons of refuse--about six fast-food meals or 12 soda cans, and the top snaps shut to keep the contents from falling out, and to reduce odor. I hang mine from the back of the passenger-side headrest, (I keep it lined with plastic bags to minimize the need to wash the nylon bag), and just reach over and dump in my trash as I go along, discarding the inside bag when the Trash Away is full. No more mess. Now if I’d only get the car washed now and then.

Trash Away in black (M670), tan (M671) red (M672) or gray (M673) is $14.95 from Herrington, a mail-order company; tel. (800) 622-5221.