Meal Storage and Heating Instructions

Meal Storage & Heating Instructions

All foods requiring refrigeration need to be kept at a temperature of 41 degrees F or below. 

Shelf-stable items should be stored at a temperature of 85 degrees F or below. 

All fresh milk & juices - refrigeration is required.  Consume by the "Best By" date located on the product.  

All cereals, crackers, chips, sunflower seeds - shelf stable.  No refrigeration required.  Consume by the "Best By" date located on the product.  

Grain-based breakfast pastries (eg: Benefit Bar, Honey Bun, Muffin, Cinnamon Roll, etc.) - previously frozen product.  Shelf stable, but consume within 5 days.  

String cheese - Refrigeration required.  Consume within 5 days.  

Fresh Whole Fruit - Refrigeration recommended, but not required.  

Fresh processed/bagged fruits & vegetables as well as cold fruit cups - Refrigeration required.  Consume by the "Best By" date located on the product.   

All shelf-stable fruit, vegetable, & milk items (eg: applesauce cups, raisins, craisins, "Fruitable" juice boxes, shelf-stable milk boxes, etc.) - shelf-stable.  No refrigeration required.  Consume by the "Best By" date located on the product.  

Cold sandwiches (eg: PBS, sub sandwiches, wedge sandwich, etc.) - Refrigeration required.  

Previously frozen product - consume the same day.  

Lunch items that require heating (eg: mini cheeseburgers, burritos, calzones, pizza, etc.) - store in refrigeration until ready to heat & consume.  Store in refrigerator no longer than 5 days.  Heat up following the heating instructions listed below, and consume within two hours.  

****IMPORTANT***** For anyone who has allergies, please be sure to read ALL labels before consuming.  


Heating Instructions

A) If item has heating instructions on packaging, following the manufacturer's recommended heating instructions on the package. 

B) If item does not have heating instructions on packaging, follow these instructions to safely heat: 

**Please note: since the type of products vary, and all microwaves and ovens vary in power, all cooking times are approximate and may need adjusted.  

Microwave from frozen:

1. Open one end of the item's wrapper (but do not remove item from wrapper) 

2. Microwave on HIGH for 90 seconds. 

3. Product is ready to consume when an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees F is reached. 

4. If product has not reached an internal temp of at least 165 degrees F, continue to reheat on HIGH in 30 second intervals until minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees F is reached.  

5. Remove item from microwave, remove from wrapper, and let sit for one minute before consuming. 

6. Consume within 2 hours.  *CAUTION: Product will be hot.  Consume with caution.  

Microwave from thawed: 

1. Open one end of the item's wrapper (but do not remove item from wrapper) 

2. Microwave on HIGH for 45 seconds. 

3. Product is ready to consume when an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees F is reached. 

4. If product has not reached an internal temp of at least 165 degrees F, continue to reheat on HIGH in 15-20 second intervals until minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees F is reached.  

5. Remove item from microwave, remove from wrapper, and let sit for one minute before consuming. 

6. Consume within 2 hours.  *CAUTION: Product will be hot.  Consume with caution.  


Oven from frozen: 

1. Leave product inside the wrapper, with wrapper unopened. 

2. Heat oven to 325 degrees F. 

3. Place product on backing sheet and cook in the oven for 30-35 minutes.  

4. Product is ready to consume when an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees F is reached. 

5. If product has not reached an internal temp of at least 165 degrees F, continue to cook in oven, checking every 5 - 10 minutes until minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees F is reached.  

6. Remove item from oven, remove from wrapper, and let sit for 5 - 10 minutes before consuming. 

7. Consume within 2 hours.  *CAUTION: Product will be hot.  Consume with caution.  

Oven from thawed: 

1. Leave product inside the wrapper, with wrapper unopened. 

2. Heat oven to 325 degrees F. 

3. Place product on backing sheet and cook in the oven for 20-25 minutes.  

4. Product is ready to consume when an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees F is reached. 

5. If product has not reached an internal temp of at least 165 degrees F, continue to cook in oven, checking every 5 - 10 minutes until minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees F is reached.  

6. Remove item from oven, remove from wrapper, and let sit for 5 - 10 minutes before consuming. 

7. Consume within 2 hours.  *CAUTION: Product will be hot.  Consume with caution.  


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