July: National Picnic Month
Summer is the perfect time for a picnic and picnics are a perfect way to reconnect with family and friends! As a matter of fact, July is National Picnic Month so it is a fabulous time to reunite the family and ‘rethink your picnic’!
Eating outdoors in this humid South Texas heat can be tricky. Nothing ruins a family gathering faster than food poisoning! Here are some simple tips to keep your family safe this 4th of July:
- Prep less than 1 day from picnic so food tastes fresh, or make things that can be frozen ahead of time.
- Transport on ice. Food should be chilled and packed in a cooler with ice or ice packs to keep them cold while they travel.
- Heat just before taking. If you’re bringing a baked dish, it can be cooked the day before. Reheat just before heading out; wrap the hot container in a towel, and tote carefully to the picnic.
- Serve—then stow. Once folks have gone through the line and served themselves, put chilled dishes back in the cooler to keep them cold. Anyone who wants seconds can dig back into the cooler.
- Use the two-hour/one-hour rule. Don’t let food sit out for more than two hours (or one hour if it’s a hot day over 90 degrees).
- Toss the leftovers. The food will have been handled a lot, and possibly will have been sitting out for a while.
Most importantly, picnics should be FUN! What a great opportunity to let your creative side shine! Check us out on Pinterest to see a collection of creative healthy summer picnic ideas we’ve pinned just for you!
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