When the winter chill begins to give way to the warming kiss of spring, many of us start to look forward to outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, and, most of all, picnics. Is there any better way to enjoy nature and bond with family and friends than by sharing great food and company? However, a picnic can quickly turn into a disaster if you don’t know how to properly select food to pack. There’s much more to it than simply throwing a bunch of items from the refrigerator into a basket or cooler.
A successful picnic requires planning, whether it’s for a family reunion, church social, family outing, or a romantic getaway for two. The first thing to consider is how many people will attend and their ages. For a large group, it’s customary for everyone to bring something. However, you’ll need to coordinate with everyone to assign dishes, or else you’ll end up with 20 jugs of tea, 100 bags of potato chips, and little else. Be sure to distribute the responsibilities evenly, so a few people don’t end up supplying all the expensive items.
Additionally, make sure you know who is attending—if someone has Jewish relatives, for example, you’ll want to avoid showing up with 100 ham sandwiches or 20 pounds of ham salad. Instead, bring food everyone can enjoy. Another tip: include sugar-free drinks and sweeteners in case someone has diabetes. Lastly, ensure you have a sufficient variety of foods to accommodate anyone with food allergies. Consider alternatives to sugar, nuts, shrimp, and offer vegetarian and/or vegan options.
Food Selection for Smaller Gatherings and Private Affairs
For family outings and smaller get-togethers, planning is easier because you likely already know what might be needed. Just don’t leave the youngsters out of the loop—include food they’ll enjoy, and let them help with the planning and preparation. Additionally, plan on having some games, like horseshoes, croquet, or Frisbees available to keep everyone entertained.
For an intimate gathering for two, find out what the other person likes and plan the rest of the meal around that. Be sure to check for any food allergies beforehand.
You’ll need more than just food for a picnic. Plan on bringing several large plastic trash bags so you can leave the area as clean, or cleaner, than you found it. Never leave a dirty site. It’s also helpful to have all guests bring their own paper plates, plastic utensils, cups, etc., as it can make cleanup much faster and easier. If the site lacks tables and benches, you may want to bring folding tables and chairs. Of course, you can always have an old-fashioned picnic with a blanket on the ground if you’re okay with sharing your food with ants.
Speaking of bugs, if you bring any bug spray, be extra cautious not to spray it where the wind can blow it back onto people, food, and drinks. Never use it near food or people. Instead, opt for fly swatters and fly strips. Just be sure to dispose of them—and any dead bugs—when you leave. A First-Aid kit is also a good item to bring whenever you leave the house.
Once all that is sorted out, you can move on to the food. The possibilities for picnic food ideas are endless. You can opt for a themed picnic, where the food represents a particular country, historical era, or region, or stick to traditional picnic fare. It’s not hard to come up with great ideas. If it’s an outing with children, something as simple as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches can be perfect. With a little forethought, you can create a memorable experience by making thoughtful food choices.
One classic picnic food is cold fried chicken. Serve it well-chilled and keep it cold until the moment of serving. Another classic is ham sandwiches. While many think these are a safe option because the ham is cured, this is only partially true. If you use mayonnaise, it must always be kept chilled, as should anything containing it, including sandwiches. Mayonnaise is dangerous if not kept cold.
Additionally, nothing is worse than a soggy sandwich. Most sandwiches made ahead of time arrive at the picnic as a soggy mess. It’s better to pack all the ingredients separately and assemble the sandwiches on-site. The same applies to salads. A pre-made salad will likely arrive at the picnic as a wilted, unappetizing mess. Keep all the ingredients separate and assemble the salad on-site. Be sure to keep mayonnaise, dips, and salad dressings well chilled.
Another classic is deviled eggs. Keep them wrapped tightly in Saran Wrap and very cold. If you’re concerned about the filling sticking to the wrap, place the halves side by side with the filling facing each other, and then wrap them. You can separate them after unwrapping.
No picnic is complete without chips and dip. Potato chips, corn chips, and tortilla chips are all classic choices. Be sure to bring plenty, along with a variety of dips. Fruits are also great picnic food—apples, bananas, peaches, grapes, and other fruit are enjoyed by young and old alike. One of the best options is watermelon, a true symbol of summer.
For drinks, make sure to bring plenty of plain water—for both drinking and cleanup. Iced tea and lemonade are traditional, and sodas are convenient. Bottled water has become increasingly popular, as well. For outings that don’t involve children, wine and beer are often enjoyed, but check your local laws first. Many picnic sites don’t allow alcohol, and there are potential risks related to DUI and open container violations.
Here’s an example: let’s say you’re at a picnic in New York, and you decide to take home an opened bottle of wine. If you cross into New Jersey, you’re breaking the law because New Jersey doesn’t allow open containers in vehicles. It’s best to avoid this issue and enjoy wine and beer at home, a bar, or a licensed restaurant.
These are just a few ideas for your next picnic. Choosing food to pack doesn’t have to be a big chore—it just takes a little planning. Now, go ahead and spread that checkered tablecloth on the ground and have fun!
