June 18th is International Picnic Day, a part of National Picnic Week, and with the weather getting brighter and warmer, there’s never been a better time to go outside and enjoy the British summertime. The word picnic, originally spelt as “pique-nique” comes from the French, and was originally used to describe a group of people dining in a restaurant, who brought their own wine. The word has since evolved to imply bringing your own food and drink to an outdoor setting.

Picnic Tips

1. Keep it light. There’s nothing worse than overpacking for a picnic and having to carry around a heavy bag full of supplies, dragging you down. Instead, pack only what you need.
2. Pack wisely. Used containers with lids to keep things from spilling in your bag. We have several disposable containers available, which are perfect for picnics. For the more environmentally friendly consumer, we also have biodegradable containers.
3. Stick to favourites. Picnics are usually best enjoyed in nature, so keeping the food simple and the entire experience laid back ensures you can enjoy a peaceful outing.
4. Bring extras. Packing extra plates and cutlery is a great way to make sure everyone has enough food serving options. We have several plastic and paper plates available, which are light and easy to carry too!
5. Avoid certain foods. Ice creams, frozen food and sticky snacks don’t transport well, and could leak into the rest of your packed food, ruining the picnic. Stick to classics, like sandwiches, salads and other easy to transport meals.
6. Stay prepared. Make sure you have all the supplies you need, including water bottles, picnic blankets, umbrellas and plasters.
7. Bring entertainment. Whether it be a book, portable speakers, or card games, bring something to keep you and your friends entertained!
8. Stay hydrated. While food may seem like the most important part of the picnic, staying hydrated is just as important! Make sure you bring enough water bottles.
9. Prepare for the heat. Keeping food and drinks cold is a must, especially on the hotter days. We sell cooler boxes which are great for keeping everything cold for peak enjoyment.
10. Clean up. Hand wipes and bin bags are a must. Cleaning up after yourself is the law in certain areas, and should be done regardless to keep nature the same way you found it.

Picnics and takeaways for businesses

Offering takeaway food, or the ability for your customers to take your food and bring it to their picnic, is becoming increasingly popular. This gives customers the flexibility to take their food and enjoy it somewhere special. If you’re giving your customers the option to take their food away having reliable food containers is a must.

We have two options for food serving containers, we have regular disposable servings and biodegradable options. The biodegradable food serving and cutlery options are ideal for establishments that are more eco-conscious, especially for customers that want to take their food on picnics. For venues that also serve drinks to go, we have beverage serving options that make it easy for your customers to bring their drinks on the go with them.

Picnics for friends and families

Having a picnic with your friends and family is fun and joyous. Picnics with loved ones are often laid back and easy. The preparation for these picnics usually includes packing pre-made foods, such as sandwiches and salads. We have everything you could ever need for serving food at picnics and keeping it hassle-free. Why not try packing a salad in the OXO Good Grips On The Go Salad Container, designed specifically for fresh salads? This reusable storage container keeps different parts of salads separate until it's time to eat, and saves time in the long run, as the container can be quickly popped into the picnic bag and washed up back at home when you’ve finished.

Reusable storage containers are a great investment if you find yourself regularly picnicking. These containers are designed to keep food sealed and fresh until you’re ready to eat, and can be easily packed away once you’re done and taken home to be washed and reused for next time! They’re also incredibly versatile and can be used for packed lunches for work and school, and general food transportation.

Another great option is cheese boards, these allow you to bring a bit of refinement and class to a picnic. The Apollo RB Cheese Board Box with 4 Knives is small and compact, and can easily fit amongst your other picnic supplies. Cheese also pairs well with fruit, another picnic go to, making cheese boards a great addition for memorable picnics.

Nothing goes better with cheese than wine and with the Vacu Vin Active Wine Cooler Sleeve, it’s easy to enjoy cool wine on a picnic. This sleeve can last for up to 6 hours and can be folded down and packed away once used. It’s ideal for picnics, as it adds a level of detail to enjoying wine, even when you’re out in the middle of nature.