Safety tips for packing food for a picnic at the beach on a family vacation.
Family vacations at the beach can be fun, and picnicking is a simple way to enjoy a hearty meal there. Since all the food and supplies needed for the picnic will have to be transported to the beach, planning ahead is essential. It's irritating to get to the beach and realize that the bread for the sandwiches and knife for cutting the melon have been forgotten, so make a list of everything that will be needed and make sure it's all there before going to the picnic spot.
The most essential supply for a beach picnic is an ice chest. There are many different types available, from soft-sided to large, heavy-duty plastic. Some ice chests even have wheels and handles, although pulling one with wheels through the sand is difficult. Since it's usually hot at the beach, keeping the food in an ice chest is necessary if food poisoning is to be avoided. It's even a good idea to take two ice chests for a picnic- one for food and one for drinks.
Before packing the picnic food in the ice chest, make sure it cools down first. It's not a good idea to cook food and put it in the ice chest still warm; it would be better to cook the food the night before and refrigerate it overnight. Bacteria can grow rapidly in warm food, so make sure there's plenty of ice in the chest. Put the food in plastic containers with tight lids or Ziploc bags so it can be buried in the ice and remain cold, and transport the ice chest inside an air-conditioned car rather than in the trunk.
If sandwiches are on the picnic menu, make them at the picnic instead of trying to keep them together inside an ice chest. Sandwiches can quickly become soggy and unappetizing and making them at the picnic allows everyone to add whatever condiments they want on the spot. Bring small packets of mayo, mustard, ketchup, pickle relish, etc., such as those used in fast-food restaurants, or put some of each condiment in a small plastic container or plastic bag. Bringing large jars of condiments from home is not a good idea since they could easily become contaminated at the beach. Don't forget to take supplies such as eating utensils, napkins, plates, and a tablecloth. Disposable products are ideal for a beach picnic; take a trash bag to keep the picnic site clean.
For families with small children, picnic menus should be simple and healthy. Drinks and foods with a high liquid content are essential if everyone is to remain hydrated on a hot day. Fruits such as watermelon and bananas are fun and easy for kids; put watermelon chunks in a plastic bowl with a lid, or take the whole watermelon, cut it at the picnic and give everyone a big slice. Bananas can be dipped in peanut butter or chocolate for added taste. Taking ice water in a large cooler with a spigot is fun for kids; they like working the spigot and will drink more water if they can get their own. Take a large package of small paper cups for the water or give each kid a plastic mug with his or her name written on it. Fill an ice chest with other drinks that the family likes; for smaller kids, put some half-pints of milk on the bottom of the cooler so they will remain cold throughout the day. Be sure to check beach restrictions; many do not allow glass bottles.
For families with older children, picnic menus can be more elaborate; just about every food seems to taste better when it's grilled at the beach and eaten outdoors. Lobster or clam bakes, grilled fish, and roasted corn or potatoes are all delicious for a beach picnic. Huge sub sandwiches can also be tasty, and salads and desserts can be added for a complete picnic meal. Older children are often interested in learning to do some of the outdoor cooking themselves, and they can help plan the menu for the picnic and prepare some of the dishes ahead of time.
For those who don't want to have to cook or put together a picnic meal, many restaurants, cafes, and delis offer picnic meals to go. The meals can be bought in individual or group sizes and are often attractively packaged. Chilled deli meals can be put immediately into the ice cooler; hot meals such as fried chicken should be cooled to room temperature and then put into the ice chest. There are usually many establishments near the beach that offer picnic-ready food, including supermarkets and convenience stores. Just add drinks and snacks and the picnic is ready to go.
Once at the beach, the food must be protected from the elements. The ice chest should be in the shade to keep it as cool as possible. Blowing sand is something that cannot always be avoided, so the food should be kept under wraps until it's time to eat. After eating, make sure the cold food is covered and put back into the ice chest and that the nonrefrigerated food is covered or put into plastic containers. Take along some damp towels or washcloths in the ice cooler; they can be used to clean hands and faces before eating and can aid in cleanup chores; they're also good for refreshing children who get too hot.
Here are some sample menus for beach picnics on a family vacation:
For Families with Small Children:
Melon cubes
Carrot & celery sticks
Cream-cheese based dip
Wraps (flour tortillas, ham, turkey, cheese slices, chopped tomatoes, cucumbers & lettuce, condiments)
For a grilled menu, substitute hot dogs or sausages in buns
Apple and banana chips
Cookies
For Families with Older Children:
Melon cubes
Celery & zucchini sticks
Cream-cheese based dip
Skewered grilled chicken with satay dip
Rice, carrot & green pea salad
Triple chocolate brownies
Take-Out Menu:
Container of refrigerated, cubed fruit
Bucket of fried chicken or a rotisserie chicken
Container of pasta salad
Loaf of French bread, sliced and buttered
Package of cookies
