The weather is finally warm and the sun is in the sky. On these beautiful days in Northwest Ohio it’s inevitable that we all want to be outside, and one fun way to spend time outdoors with friends and family is having a picnic.
You’re not sure what to pack for a picnic? Don’t worry! We’ve picked out some of the best places in the Toledo area to fill your picnic basket.
Bread
The first part of making a perfect picnic is finding the perfect bread for the sandwiches. Look no further than Country Grains Bread Company. Country Grains Bread Company makes all natural breads from scratch. They offer some vegan bread types as well, so there are options for everyone at Country Grains Bread Company. Check out their Facebook page for more info.
Deli Meat
What better way to pair off homemade bread than with delicious fresh deli meat from Zavotski Custom Meats & Deli. Zavotski’s carries a wide variety of deli meats and also makes their own deli salads. If you aren’t in the mood to make your own sandwich, you can pick up one of their made-to-order deli sandwiches or ready-to-eat meals. Be sure to grab some fresh cut meats to throw on the grill while you’re there!
Another great local butcher shop is Kilgus Meats. They specialize in homemade kielbasa, sausage and lunch meats.
Produce
The Toledo Farmers’ Market is the perfect spot to stop for produce for your picnic. If you haven’t been to the Toledo Farmers’ Market, it’s a great spot to visit especially during the summer months. The market is open every Saturday at 525 Market St., Toledo. At the Toledo Farmers’ Market you will find a wide variety of area vendors selling fruits, vegetables, meat, cheese, wine, coffee, flowers, and more! You will find your freshest and most local fruits and veggies here.
Sides
For a variety of sides stop by Sautter’s Market located in Sylvania and Waterville. Sautter’s has some great homemade sides made fresh in their deli which would be a perfect addition to any picnic. A favorite among many is their potato salad. If you want to add some chips and dip to your picnic, Sautter’s Mexicali dip is a tasty choice.
Walt Churchill’s Market is another great go-to for picnic sides. In their deli, they claim on their website that 90% of their spreads, salads, side dishes and prepared food is made in store.
Wine
After you have picked up your sides at Sautter’s Market, be sure and peruse their wine selection and check out their closeout shelf for good deals. Joseph’s Beverage Center is another local spot with a wide wine selection. Find your next favorite wine, sparking wine or champagne at this family and locally owned business.
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Beer
Maybe wine isn’t your choice of drink. If you’d rather bring a six-pack, shop local and check out Maumee Bay Brewing and their diverse selection of craft beers. For a refreshing summer drink, try their Bayside, Lemon Shandy. In this shandy, they combine their Classic Buckeye Lager with a sweet lemonade.
Dessert
Wixey Bakery has been around since 1930, and there’s a reason it’s still one of the most popular bakeries in Toledo. Wixey’s uses their original recipes and hand-crafted technique to create amazing desserts including brownies, cupcakes, cookies, and pastries. Stopping by Wixey’s will help you put the perfect finishing touches on your picnic.
