Warm summer weather attracts picnickers to parks and other beautiful outdoor spots. Selecting foods to take along on a picnic can be a challenge, as there are several considerations to take into account including food safety, picnic location, and ease of cleanup. Fortunately, cultures all over the world seem to enjoy taking food outdoors during beautiful weather, so most culinary traditions include food which can be easily packed on a picnic.

Food safety is probably the primary consideration when selecting foods to take along on a picnic. Most of the time, a picnic is accompanied by a stroll, and the picnickers may not eat the food right away once the picnic destination has been reached. This means that foods may be sitting at warm temperatures breeding bacteria for some time. When planning for a picnic, think about how long the food will be out, and try to avoid foods that may pose bacterial risks, such as meats. If you want to take these types of foods along, plan on packing them in ice so that they will stay cool and safe to eat.

Location is another issue. A picnic on the beach, for example, can be lovely, but some foods attract sand more than others. When packing foods for a beach picnic, think about foods that can be easily packaged and eaten with minimal exposure, such as sandwiches, rather than foods which involve a lot of handling like bread and cheese. If you are planning a picnic in a windy destination, you should think about how foods are packaged, as you do not want to spend the picnic chasing around after wrappers. Finally, if you are taking a long hike before the picnic, consider the weight of all the foods which are being brought along. Cleanup should also be taken into consideration; to facilitate cleanup, you may want to think about packing damp towels in plastic bags so that picnickers can wipe their hands easily after eating.

Some classic picnic foods include sandwiches, fruit, and salads. You can chop fruit such as melons before the picnic to make it easier to deal with at the site, or you can pack apples, peaches, and other single serving fruits. Sandwich fillings can vary widely, but remember to think about food safety when assembling them, and try to ice them, along with salads. You can also pack things like dried fruit, bread, various spreads, cheese, and pickled foods such as olives. Many delis also feature finger foods which are great for a picnic such as dolmades, samosas, and Chinese dumplings. Naturally, no picnic would be complete with desserts like cupcakes, cookies, or candy bars. Try to keep desserts cool so that they do not soften or melt.

It is also important to think about drinks when you are packing a picnic. Because you will probably be out in the sun, you should be certain to pack plenty of plain water to keep everyone hydrated. In addition to water, you may want to consider drinks like iced tea, lemonade, and fruit juices. For adults in the party, small amounts of beer and wine can be enjoyable, but be aware of the potential dangers of drinking in the sun, and make sure that the drivers refrain from consuming alcohol.