Picnic Perfect: Building the Ultimate Market Picnic Basket

​There is something magical about summer picnics, whether you’re lounging at Pinafore Park or spreading out your picnic blanket at Waterworks, a thoughtfully packed picnic basket can make a sunny afternoon a special event.

​The best place to grab all you need is right here at the Horton Farmers Market of course! Here is how to build your perfect picnic basket, fresh, local, and delicious.
Staring with the essentials, you will want to grab a sturdy tote or basket, reusable cutlery, plates ad napkins, a cozy blanket, and some sunscreen/bug spray to properly enjoy your day outside.

​Firstly, pick your picnic proteins. We have some incredible meat vendors at the market. The Turkey Shoppe, B&C Farms, Quaker Springs Farms, Evelyn's Sausage Kitchen, Brandywine Farms, there’s a wide variety of proteins to choose from, from lamb to turkey, or maybe mushrooms are more your style from Marx Mushrooms. The difficulty will be in choosing what you’re in the mood for. 

​In any case, once you have that piece of the picnic puzzle sorted, no picnic is complete without cheese. Misty Glenn cheese curds are a fan favorite, but you have choices to choose from. Maybe a flavoured goat cheese from Great Lakes Goat Dairy is more your style—grab a little but of this and that, you can’t go wrong with variety. Paired with a fresh baguette from La Houlette de Vie, and you’re golden. 

You definitely can’t skip out on the produce; cherry tomatoes snap peas cucumbers and prepared carrots make for easy snacking. Toss together an assortment of vegetable bounty from Our Fields or Field of Greens for a simple market salad bonus points if you pick up some edible flowers from Herb 4350. 

​Similarly with fruit options think sweet juicy and ready to eat with strawberries from Howe’s blueberries from Bluegroves Farms, sliced peaches with a bit of whipped cream or yoghurt dip if you're feeling fancy. 

​We all know the importance of dessert! a couple butter tarts from Wacky Wendall’s, A gluten free pastry from Abby Mays or share some pie slices from Cheffy’s the choices are practically endless for something sweet from Horton. 

​Other than your water, stay hydrated, grab something to sit juice from The Cooler Juice Bar some non alcoholic apple cider from Great Lakes farms adds refreshing addition to your picnic provisions.

​Whether it be a romantic date, family outing, or solo recharge, your perfect picnic spread starts at Horton. happy picnic-ing!