Planning Your Eco-Friendly Picnic
Happy Belated Earth Day!
Now that the weather in Boston has grown considerably warmer and the sweaters have already begun their long summer’s sleep, I have begun to think about actually getting outside again. So this Earth Day, in honor of New England’s long-awaited return to the great outdoors, let’s take a look at how to protect mother earth while filling your belly at the All American Picnic.
Walk or Bike to your Picnic Spot
Biking and walking to your destinations not only a great chance to get needed exercise, it can be a great family outing or adventure. But, before pedaling off into your picnicking future, first research some parks near your neighborhood or scout out spots that might make a good picnic location within a comfortable biking distance.
One of the classic rules of travel is always make your group is well fed. If you’re traveling with your family, make sure to eat a sustainable breakfast before taking a long bike ride. That way, you can enjoy the bike ride at a more leisurely pace without cranky kids or friends in route.
If you destination is too far to bike and you’re traveling with friends, consider carpooling to your destination. Strap on some bikes to your car so that when you get to your area, you can get around without having to consume more fossil fuels just to get around.
Eat Local. Or Even Better, Eat Local Organic.
When making your famous fruit salad or spinach dip, be sure to select locally grown organics from your local farmers market, coop, or area Whole Foods. Not only will you be investing in the local economy and helping out the farmers that grow and raise the food, but you’ll also be investing in fresher, less expensive organics (as long as the food has been grown in season).
If you have trouble finding organic foods in your area, a recent study in 2005 claims that as long as you eat food within a 12 mile radius of yourself, your food might be greener than even certain organics. Keep in mind, even though some food might be organic, it doesn’t mean that it’s locally grown and organic. While organics use less pesticides and natural fertilizers, your non-organic local food puts fewer steps between you and the vine. With the rising costs of gas and the environmental impact that fossil fuel consumption puts on the earth, it’s easy to understand why shopping local sometimes trumps eating far away organics.
If you’re not sure what foods are in season, or what farmer’s markets are closest Local Harvest is a great way to find out what local food is available to you. Also, take a look at the National Resources Defense Council’s Eat Local tool to see what’s in season near you.
The people over at 100 Mile Diet also have some great tips on how to get started on eating locally.
Go Meat Free or Dairy Free
Whether you’re an animal rights activist or not, a meat free picnic will set the stage for eco-picnic. Not only are the health benefits high, but in many cases it can save money and also considerably help out the environment. Last year, No Impact Man shared some statistics about why eating less meat helps the environment.
If you’re like me, and you’ve vowed to go meat-free at least three times a week, premade vegetarian Picnic menus can be a lifesaver. Check out the Vegetarian Lunchbox might stir up some meat-free ideas to get your picnic really cooking.
Use Reusables
Instead of buying plastics that will just end up in littering more landfills, invest in some easy to carry reusable water bottles and food carriers that you could use again and again and again. There are also some eco coolers on the market now made out of wheat and canvas instead of plastic. Having a food carrier that seals tightly is important because then you can carry it back and wash it out in your home. It also doesn’t hurt having biodegradable trash bags at your house for which to throw out your waste!