Packing for a waste-free summer picnic is easier than you think. The hardest part may actually be finding a basket or bag that’s big enough to hold all your goodies! We’re sharing small steps you can take to make your next picnic a little easier on the earth.
Eat seasonally
Just as squash is best in the fall, peaches and tomatoes simply taste like summer. Eating according to what’s in season assures you get the best flavor and supports local farmers.
- 🍓 Strawberries
- 🍉 Melon
- 🍋 Citrus
- 🍅 Tomatoes
- 🍑 Peaches
- 🍍 Pineapple
- 🥝 Golden kiwis
- 🍒 Cherries
- 🌶 Peppers
Skip plastic containers
Head to the farmers market before your picnic or pick produce from Imperfect that comes in its own biodegradable “packaging,” like peels and rinds. Remember: Your food doesn’t need to last forever; it just needs to make it to the park, so consider these options.
Fruit infused water
Instead of cans and bottles, pour fruit-infused water into Mason jars
Food Storage Products That Help Reduce Waste
In your kitchen and beyond.
Easy Homemade Beeswax Wraps
An easy and stylish way to cut down on single-use plastics.
7 Tips for Storing Cheese Properly
Keep your cheddar better with these tips for storing cheese.
Upcycle materials to amp up your spread
Everything you need for the perfect picnic may already be in your own home. Wash and reuse takeout containers and use them as tupperware, or upcycle your silver liner and gel pack from your Imperfect order to keep drinks cold.
Wash and reuse takeout containers and use them as tupperware, or upcycle your silver liner and gel pack from your Imperfect order to keep drinks cold.
We love using baking trays as charcuterie boards because that little lip on the edge keeps our precious cheeses from rolling off.
We love using baking trays as charcuterie boards We particularly like this egg-cellent hack: Rather than throwing away your egg cartons, fill each crevice with snacks and fruits to make a compactable snack bar.
Snacks to stuff into a big old tote bag
Look for these easy-to-pack snacks next time you’re shopping with Imperfect!
Dried Mangos:
These tasty mango pieces spent a bit too long sunbathing and were deemed too dark to be sold in stores. But what the stores don’t know is that more of the mango’s natural sweetness is released by soaking up the sun a little longer.
Dark Chocolate Covered Pretzel Pieces:
It’s a sweet snack that keeps leftover rainbow When pretzels are coated with chocolate, some of them break and go to waste—but not anymore (thanks to you!). Turns out, those pieces have the ideal salty-sweet ratio.
Organic Chocolatey Banana Nut Trail Mix
Leftover cashew pieces and not-quite-ripe bananas join chunks of chocolate for this organic trek mix.
Yogurt Covered Pretzels with Sprinkles
It’s a sweet snack that keeps leftover rainbow sprinkles from going to waste.
Garlic and Herb Roasted Cashews
Fair Trade cashews are roasted to golden brown perfection and tossed with organic garlic, then speckled with just about every herb in the garden.
Fruit Strips & Bits
When a fruit gets dried and cut into a fruit bar, perfectly yummy ends, pieces, strips, and strings get left behind. So we gathered them up!
Please any picnicker with these recipes
Upcycled Mocha Chip Brownies
Your coffee grounds have more to offer than you might think.
A Frittata for a lot-a Leftovers
An extra onion half and lumpy tomato are no longer a burden thanks to this fancy breakfast frittata.
Waffled PB&J
This recipe will actually make you look forward to using your leftover bread heels.
Happy al fresco season!
4 Comments
Rebecca Albjerg
June 7, 2021 at 2:34 pmTupperware is a great product, reusable plastic!
Imperfect Foods
June 10, 2021 at 8:30 pmVery true! Glass is also a great option for reusable containers!
MG
September 2, 2021 at 1:53 pmHi, which silicone bento box system is pictured in the first photo of this article? Thanks!
Imperfect
September 29, 2021 at 9:30 pmJust one we had on hand honestly! But you can definitely find one similar online! 💚