A summer without a picnic is like a picnic without ants.  Though picnics can have their challenges, they more than make up for them with the enjoyment they can bring.  Enjoy the season and the sunshine by planning and packing a special picnic to share with someone special.

    Where to picnic is a key decision to the enjoyment of the day.  A little shade is always nice.  Picnic tables can be nice, but you may want to check under the table if you are not familiar with the site.  Many pests and spiders enjoy the benefits of living so close to regular food sources.  A large, thick blanket can also provide a comfy place to recline -- as long as the ground isn’t damp.

    Another challenge of a picnic is food safety.  Without refrigeration, many foods can be considered too dangerous to consume in only two hours because of the rapid speed at which bacteria can grow.  Store your food items properly, with a maximum of two hours within the temperature range of 40 degrees to 140 degrees.  Plan ahead, and pack strategically to keep your cold foods cold and your hot foods hot – or at least warm.  A cooler, beach towel, or picnic blanket can help maintain a consistent temperature longer.  Keeping foods grouped with other foods at the same temperature can also help.  Don’t open or uncover food too far in advance to avoid temperature change and pest invasions.

    Many options are out there for food storage. Beautiful, old picnic baskets really set the ambience for a picnic, but they can be bulky and impractical.  A cooler with wheels is far easier to roll along and can really come in handy to store cold drinks for refreshment and cold foods.  The new collapsible, insulated picnic baskets offer a nice compromise of beauty and function, and they are lightweight.

    Choose a menu that is easy to eat, and plan your table settings accordingly. We do eat with our eyes first, and you should reflect the beauty and festivity of the occasion. Many beautiful “green,” reusable options are available:  Bamboo, enamelware, plastic, metal, and glass options are all available in a wide array of beautiful designs and colors. But disposable paper or plastic are easy and come in many lovely colors and designs as well.  Whatever option you choose, be sure to bring along a bag or container for your trash and also to return any dirty items to your kitchen in.  Be careful not to leave any litter, so others can enjoy the site after you. 

    If you want to eliminate the need for utensils altogether, make finger foods the hallmark of your menu.  Also consider fresh flavors; nothing tastes better when you are out in the sunshine and surrounded by vegetation.  Since picnics are by nature celebrations of the season, choose options that incorporate local seasonal produce.  For sandwiches, consider adding fresh herbs or grilled vegetables for a healthy, fresh flavor.  Salads have no limitations and are wonderful at

picnics since they are often best served cool.  Be creative, and don’t  fall into the trap of standard brownbag fare like chips and peanut butter and jelly.  Though those foods do serve their purposes, your sensational picnic should be a party of fresh flavor. Try some of the ideas in the box on this page.

    You should also pack hand sanitizer, insect repellent, a trash receptacle, sunscreen, paper towels, plenty of cool drinks, a blanket to sit on, a plastic bag for your dirty dishes, and plenty of spare time to relax. Escape the distractions of technology and leave your cell phone at home. Instead, bring along a few old-fashioned pastimes: a book, nature-themed poetry like Thoreau or Wordsworth, Frisbees, balls, bubbles, a deck of cards, and even a camera to capture the moment.  The most important item to bring is an attitude ready to slow down and savor the experience.

Picnic Menu Ideas

A Less Than Ordinary Salad

    Try the delicious Peanut Noodle Salad on our Recipes page.  tabouli, cucumber salad, or a refreshing potato salad are also delicious options. Pasta salads can also be super easy, and you can boost their nutrition by using whole-grain noodles and adding a generous amount of fresh vegetables.  Try adding green peas and sugar snap peas from the frozen vegetable section of the grocery; they both retain a lot of fresh flavor, add natural sweetness, and need only to be thawed before being added to a salad.

Beyond Peanut Butter and Jelly

    Think pita pockets chocked full of fresh vegetables and topped with your favorite dressing just before eating. Sushi and summer rolls (rice paper filled with noodles, veggies, and fresh herbs -- not fried), wraps on whole-grain tortillas, or even kebabs of cheese, tomatoes, and other vegetables are also wonderful options.  Try to incorporate more fresh produce for more nutrition and flavor: fresh basil leaves on a tomato sandwich, grilled zucchini with smoked turkey, or even roast beef roll-ups with horseradish and chopped green onions.

Go Fresh For Dessert

    A nice, light dessert is just the perfect end to an afternoon picnic. Sliced melon, apple, grapes, berries as well as many other fruits are at their peak now, so see what your local farmer’s market has to offer.