Picnic Pointers
With summer comes the perfect opportunity for picnics, where you can relish the warm weather, savor delicious food, and enjoy the company of friends and family outdoors. Here are key tips for a successful picnic.
Safety Tips
- Keep it safe – Food should be kept at 40°F or colder. If it sits at temperatures higher than this for more than two hours, bacteria can start to grow. To help food stay cold as long as possible, leave it in the fridge until you’re ready to leave the house. Pack it in a cooler with ice packs and leave it closed (preferably in a shaded area or under a blanket) until you’re ready to eat.
- Pre-freeze water bottles – Fill reusable water bottles leaving one inch from the top without liquid and freeze. You’ll have automatic ice packs and cold drinks!
- Trash it – If prepared food has been sitting out for over two hours (or one hour if the outdoor temperature is over 90°F), throw it out.
- Carry out – Bring a trash bag and ensure everything you brought into nature leaves with you.
What To Bring
- Make sturdy choices. Whole grains, legumes, hard fruits, and veggies (like apples, carrots, and mini peppers) are less likely to get soggy or bruised. Hard cheeses and whole grain crackers and breads work well, too.
- For a fun treat, freeze orange or other 100% fruit juice in ice cube trays. Pack the cubes in a thermos and add them to seltzer or other carbonated water to chill it down and add flavor.
- For a heartier meal, whole grain-based salads hold up well. Bean salads are also a good choice. They pair well with the spreads, add a bit more protein and a different texture to the meal. Edamame, steamed in the shell or out, is also an excellent protein source that’s tasty at any temperature.
- Throw containers of olives and nuts into your basket for tang, crunch, and healthy unsaturated fats.
