Summer summer summer! There’s a reason why songs have been written about everyone’s favorite season – people love to be outside enjoying the sun, going on a hike, or having the perfect picnic. A picnic can be as big or small and as simple or fancy as you like, but where do you start? Here’s a simple guide to help you throw the best picnic this summer!

The Perfect Picnic: Safety First 

Before you plan a tasty menu or put together the perfect playlist for a perfect picnic, keep health and safety considerations top-of-mind. For outdoor DIY dining, that means focusing on two things: food safety and sun protection. Don’t let unsafe food-handling or a nasty sunburn spoil the summer fun. Keep the party going by playing it safe.

The Perfect Picnic Practices Good Food Safety

Whatever food you pack for your picnic, you want it to be safe to eat. Let’s all do our part to keep food fresh and prevent foodborne illness. Here are some of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration's top recommendations for handling food safely while outdoors: 

• Avoid the “danger zone:” Don’t let perishable and prepared foods remain between 40-140 degrees for more than two hours. If it’s above 90 degrees outside, keep it at just one hour.
• Keep cold food cold: Pack cold food in a cooler with ice packs (try the insulated bag and ice packs used to deliver your Thistle meals!)  and place it in the shade, ideally covered with a blanket. Don’t leave it in your car! To keep the food as chilled as possible and to prevent frequent opening, store beverages in a separate cooler. 
• Keep hot food hot: Wrap up that casserole in an insulated container. Hot packs help, too.
• Clean produce: Rinse or scrub all fruits and veggies, especially those you will eat raw. This includes skins and other parts you don’t eat. If a watermelon has harmful bacteria on the rind, the knife used to cut it may transfer the bacteria to the edible parts.
• Wash your hands: Pack a water jug, some soap, and paper towels so that you can wash your hands for at least 20 seconds before handling and eating your perfect picnic.

The Perfect Picnic Offers Sun Protection

Being outdoors and dining al fresco is great, but too much sun exposure can ruin all the fun. Skin protection is a must. Consider the following ways to cover up:

• Apply Sunscreen: Keep skin healthy, rejuvenated, and safe from the sun. If your perfect picnic takes place in the middle of the day or on the beach, sunscreen is all the more important, because more direct sunlight means more sun exposure and because sand and water reflect a lot more of the sun’s rays. Use a broad spectrum mineral-based sunscreen, not a chemical one. It offers the most protection and it has less environmental impact. 
• Wear a Hat: Make a statement with a fun accessory and also protect your skin. The bigger the brim, the better the protection. Along with sunglasses and UV protective clothing, think of these accessories as reusable sunscreen you can wear again and again.
• Put Up an Umbrella: Want even more coverage from the sun? A canopy or umbrella will do the trick. They will give the coverage you need while making your perfect picnic look picture perfect. 
• Hug a tree: Set up your perfect picnic beneath the shade of a large tree – Mother Nature’s sunscreen and air conditioner.

Perfect Picnic Food Ideas

As with any gathering or event, the food is the most important part of a perfect picnic. It not only has to be delicious, but also easy to pack, transport, set up, and eat. Here are some of our favorite picks for the ideal picnic food:

Perfect Picnic Meals

Thistle Meals: Thistle’s salads and snacks come prepared and ready to eat at any time, so all you need to do is grab and go! Not only are they a healthy alternative to more processed foods, but they’re such a delicious way to level up your picnic.

Charcuterie Board: These boards are the ultimate addition to any picnic - here’s some inspiration:

• Veggies & fruit: Washed, cut up, and artfully displayed. If you’re bringing apple slices, put some lemon juice on them so they don’t turn brown before you get to the beach.
• Crackers: We love Cult Crackers.
• Bread: Try gluten-free sourdough bread from Young Kobras.
• Jelly or jam: Chia jam is so easy to make with this recipe - use your favorite fruit.
• Spreads or dips: We love easy and completely plant-based protein-rich recipes like Beetroot Hummus and Pub Cheese. Nut butters are a good choice, too!

Perfect Picnic Snacks

Fruits and Veggies: It’s no secret that fruits and veggies make the perfect ready-made and ultra-healthy snack. In season picks are always the best; some of our favorites include bell peppers and other hydrating foods like melon, berries, peaches, and cucumber.

Nuts and Trail Mixes: A staple in most cupboards, nuts are very easy to transport and always make a good snack.

Perfect Picnic Beverages

Here are some mouth-watering drinks to serve up at your perfect picnic:

Water: Not the most creative, but an absolute must! This summer heat is strong and getting the proper amount of fluids should always be on the top of your list. Level-up your water by adding citrus or berries to give it more depth and flavor.

Thistle’s Cold-Pressed Juices: Thistle has a variety of cold-pressed juices perfect for the summer heat. They’re refreshing, tasty and good for your health. Made with organic veggies and fruits, these cold-pressed juices are both hydrating and nourishing. With nine flavors to choose from, there’s something for everyone. P.S. Thistle juice makes great summer cocktail mixers! Some of our favorite Thistle juice-meets-cocktail hacks include Watermelon Berry Margarita and a Probiotic Mocktail.

Perfect Picnic Desserts

End your perfect picnic on a sweet note with one of these desserts from Thistle’s recipe collection:

• Lemon Pistachio Cake: this delicious cake is easy to pack up for a picnic
• Thistle’s Black Forest Truffles: hand-held and bite sized; perfect for the occasion
• Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies: decadent, chocolate-y, and plant-based
• Okinawan Sweet Potato Bars: these colorful customer favorites are easy to make

The Perfect Picnic Playlist

Don’t forget music; it sets the mood for any event. Be it spunky and festive, chill and relaxing, or romantic and sensual, take some time to locate or curate a perfect picnic playlist (or two!) before heading outdoors. Bring a good bluetooth speaker, make sure your devices are fully charged, press play, and enjoy the vibes.

Perfect Picnic Quick Tips

Pack the night before: To ease stress, pack all non-refrigerated items the evening prior. Then, focus solely on last-minute preparations just prior.

Scout your spot: Take a walk through the park or along the beach to find the best spot for a perfect picnic. Note how busy it might be and whether you need to bring bigger items like a canopy or umbrella.

Small stuff: Don’t forget napkins, utensils, and plates. Consider reusable and lightweight options – they’re easy to haul, gentle on the planet, and look great.

Blankets and pillows: Comfort is key so make sure to grab your fluffiest pillows and largest blankets. The bigger the blanket, the more room you have to spread out. 

Blanket weights: A little wind might make your perfect picnic perfectly chaotic, so come prepared. Blanket weights ensure that your blanket and everything on it stays put. 

With this simple guide you can soak up the best of summer by planning and packing the perfect picnic. And remember to keep green spaces picnic-worthy for everyone: clean up after yourself and leave your spot better than you found it.