Perfecting the (Green) Picnic
As soon as the frost fades, I itch to dine alfresco, preferably in the grass, preferably with bare toes.
And as dining outside becomes an increasingly common event for my family, I’m always looking for ways to green our picnic.
My first commitment to a planet-friendly picnic is to travel to my destination via two wheels or two feet. A roomy backpack or sturdy basket will hold the supplies, and the exercise will balance out my picnic essentials of cheese, bread and cookies. (I try to up my eco ante by patronizing local purveyors and farmers markets.)
But no picnic would be truly green without cloth napkins and reusable plates, cups and utensils. Check out Preserve’s (PreserveProducts.com) line of lightweight, dishwasher safe plates and cups made from recycled plastic. If you’re looking for disposables, Branch (BranchHome.com) makes biodegradable plates and bowls from sugarcane fiber. For beverages, single-use bottles and cans are out, and reusable thermoses are in.
