5 Steps to the Perfect (and Waste-Free) Picnic

Spring is here, the blankets are out, the sunglasses are on – which can only mean one thing: picnic season has arrived! 🧺🌞

But what if this year, you packed your picnic basket with a little more intention? Let the sunshine shine bright – and let sustainability shine right along with it. Here’s how to organize a perfect (and waste-free) picnic.

1. Plan it out – not just the playlist 🎶

Just like a good picnic chill mix doesn’t make itself, a zero-waste picnic needs a little prep too. Think ahead: how many people, what to eat, where to get it, and how you’ll serve it. This way, you’ll dodge leftover overload or last-minute panic buying sad plastic-wrapped sandwiches at a gas station.

2. Choose snacks that are kind to the planet 🍽️

At any picnic, food is the main event. So let’s make it tasty, filling, and low on waste!

Good news: it’s not science fiction.

Try Secontaste’s brewer's spent grain crackers – they’re crunchy, satisfying, and upcycled for the win. They pair perfectly with hummus, dips... or straight from the bag. We don’t judge.

📝 Tip: Make a list of places near your picnic spot where you can grab tasty, conscious snacks. Here are our fav spots – with ideas on where to picnic and where to stock up before you roll out the blanket 🧺

Budapest – the urban picnic paradise

• Margaret Island, arriving from Árpád Bridge:

👉 Mad Dog Coffee Hangár – Get your hands on some Secontaste crackers and a strong coffee (or cascara) to go. Bring your own reusable cup – the planet says thanks!

• Margaret Island, arriving from Margaret Bridge:

👉 Cheeky’s Deli – A treasure trove of local, artisanal treats. Take your own tote, you’ll probably leave with more than you planned for.

• Kopaszi gát:

👉 EcoFamily at Újbuda Center – Still time to grab a last-minute pack of crackers before that riverside hangout.

Beyond Budapest, for even more flavour and fun

• Csolnok:

👉 Simplicity Coffee & Ice Cream Lab – This place is a gem. Come for the crackers, stay for the unforgettable gelato.

• Balatonföldvár:

👉 Helka Brewery – Craft beer and crackers? Yes please. Grab both and head to the lakeside for a truly chill moment.

3. Stick to seasonal! 🍓

Local, seasonal produce = fresher, tastier, and leaves a lighter footprint on the planet. Right now? Think crisp radishes, juicy strawberries, asparagus, or baby potatoes – great for salads, fruit skewers, or straight-up snacking.

🌱 Tip: Hit the local market with your own bags and chat with the farmers – way cooler than the supermarket aisles.

4. Keep your gear green too 🌍

You’re in nature, so treat it like your host. Ditch single-use plastic plates and cutlery – bring your own from home or invest in reusable, stylish picnicware. Refillable water bottles, cloth napkins, and sturdy food containers are all must-haves.

5. Leftovers? Take them home, not to the bin 🥡

Don’t just pack up your blanket and board games – pack up the extra food too. With a little remixing, tomorrow’s menu is done: smoothie from leftover fruit, crackers as soup toppers, scrambled eggs with veggies. Zero waste = zero stress.

📦 Tip: Bring some tightly sealed containers so nothing spills in your bag on the way home.

+1: What’s the secret to the best picnic ever? Good company… and even better snacks! 😉

Picnicking is a state of mind. So keep it chill, joyful, flavourful – and with as little waste as possible.

Here at Secontaste, we believe that conscious consumption can be joyful too – every last crumb (or spent grain cracker) proves it. And hey, so does our latest picnic collab video with Marci from tRENDrakó! Click on the video and have a look.