It doesn't matter how flawless those fondant flowers are if the cake itself is less than fresh. Seal in that just-baked freshness with plastic wrap. Use shrink wrap for sturdy goodies like Bundt cakes and pies, and wrap plastic around more delicate cakes by hand. Freezing cupcakes and intricate iced cakes can also help them to hold up in transit.

Place cupcakes in a holder with individual spaces and press a candy stick into each cupcake to prevent a potential impact from the lid. Wrap cookies individually in shrink bags or heat-sealed plastic for professional-looking presentation. Pack them snugly in a tin or other sturdy container.

Wrap cupcake holders, tins and other containers in plastic to make them airtight, or seal all edges with sturdy tape. This will help keep the freshness in and unwanted heat and moisture out.

Pro Tip: If you’re shipping macarons, the meringue-based cookie with a soft sandwich filling, or similarly delicate treats, cut small squares of bubble wrap and add a layer of cushioning between each of the macarons when packing them inside your container. This extra step will not only preserve freshness but help prevent the fragile confections from smushing against one another in transit.

Sturdy insulated foam containers are ideal for ice cream, frozen cakes, seafood and other items you want to keep cool or frozen. These containers are available in different thicknesses; the thicker the wall, the less coolant you'll need.

For sturdy items that require less cooling, you may line a shipping box with insulated foam planks or thermal bubble wrap. Thermal bubble mailers are another option for food in containers, such as cupcakes; you'll place the coolant inside the mailer, and pack it all in a sturdy shipping box with ample padding.

For food you want to remain unfrozen, surround it with gel packs within an insulated container.

Avoid broken cookies, bruised fruit and banged up filets by filling extra space in your package with padding. Use materials like bubble wrap and packing peanuts to provide at least 5 to 7.5 centimeters of protection around your food. If there is extra space remaining in your foam cooler, add some bubble wrap to stabilize your goods.

Wrap tins and other food containers with ample bubble wrap and stabilize them in the center of your shipping box at least 5 centimeters from the outer walls. Soft foam inserts with customizable openings are an excellent option for items like fruit and jarred food.

Always pack your perishable foods in a new, sturdy corrugated box. That goes for your foam cooler as well: Always enclose it in a sturdy box. Seal all seams of the box completely on top and bottom with pressure-sensitive packing tape.

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