August is National Picnic Month. Will you be picnicking in the backyard or venturing out to a nearby park? What type of picnic will you be having? A romantic tête-ὰ-tête… A family get together in someone’s backyard… or will you be meeting friends/coworkers at the beach or at the park? Will you throw caution to the wind and have a big family reunion this month?

Whatever you do, it’s important to be safe and follow CDC guidelines about group activities.

When did dining al fresco evolve into a picnic? People have been eating outside for centuries… laborers, farm hands, travelers. Who had the idea to make an outdoor meal an event? According to the link I consulted for this article, that distinction belongs to the French who began calling these outdoor potlucks, “pique-niques” as long ago as 1692. Each guest brought a dish of food to share with the group at these informal feasts.

Today the term “picnic” has many meanings. It can be a romantic feast for two or a corporate outing with games or an outdoor concert. Sometimes guests bring food to share. At some gatherings, everything is provided and prepared on-site, or supplied by catering companies.

In years past, a traditional American picnic meant cold fried chicken, potato salad, deviled eggs, and dessert was usually a pie.

Modern picnics usually include hamburgers, hot dogs, fruits, cut vegetables, salads and cupcakes, cookies, or brownies which are more portable and less messy than a slice of pie.

The Persian mathematician, astronomer and poet, Omar Khayyam (1048-1122) penned the famous words, “A jug of wine, a loaf of bread and thou.” His words still conjure up romantic fantasies about picnics with the one you love. Today, however, we usually include seasoned olive oil to dip our bread in, cheese and fruit, a little crudité platter and a sweet treat for dessert.

What do you need for a picnic? The answer depends on the type of gathering, the location, and the number of guests. Whatever you have planned, there’s no reason you can’t eat healthy foods and minimize waste/trash.

If grills are available, you can have burgers, hotdogs, kabobs and veggie kabobs, and even grilled fruits like peaches, pears, or pineapple.

No grills? No problem - cold salads and sandwich-making stations will be a hit. Just don’t forget the condiments and follow food safety rules. Keep meats, eggs, and anything with a mayonnaise base on ice and away from other foods to avoid cross-contamination.

Bring plenty of water, lemonade, and iced tea. Keep ice for drinks away from foods. Label your coolers carefully, so there are no mix-ups.

Bring fresh-cut vegetables and easy-to-eat desserts like cupcakes, brownies, cookies, or fresh fruit.

Pack a first aid kit just in case and if you need to cut anything with a sharp knife, have a safe place to store it away from your guests when not in use. Bring plenty of sunscreen, plant-based insect repellent, and hand sanitizer. Don’t forget the blankets!         

If possible, bring cloth napkins, melamine plates, and stainless-steel eating utensils. Bring food in reusable, resealable containers. Bring beverages in insulated jugs and have a supply of aluminum/metal cups to use. Bring an empty cooler to pack up your dirty dishes and napkins, so they aren’t accidentally discarded. When you get home, load them into the dishwasher. Always leave your picnic site cleaner than you found it.

Bring sports equipment and if games are planned be sure everyone is wearing proper footwear (unless you’re playing volleyball at the beach).

Have a fun and safe picnic this month!

Sources for this article:

https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/menus/have-a-picnic.htm?utm_source=howstuffworks&utm_medium=recirc