With its slightly old-fashioned charm and appeal to all the senses, picnicking transforms a meal into an experience that transcends time and trends. It also gives a festive air to any food tasting...

It is both a symbol of conviviality and a return to nature and authenticity. With the arrival of fine weather, picnics are back. They satisfy a need for authenticity and conviviality in small groups. Above all, they create unforgettable moments.

This is, in fact, the very essence of the term. This moment of pleasure and sharing is said to date back to ancient times. ‘Pique’ meant to peck, and “nique” was an old French word for a ‘small thing of no value’. Together, they describe the act of pecking at small things brought by each person.

Vegan and vegetarian diets are popular

In a recent study compiled by Google and Tastewise in the United Kingdom and reported by Specialty Food magazine, searches for the term ‘picnic’ increased by 57% this year compared to the same period in 2024. Picnics are particularly popular with Generation Z and Millennials. This trend reflects consumers' desire for socialising over a meal that is seen as informal and reconnects them with nature. According to Specialty Food magazine, the products most frequently mentioned by picnic lovers are sandwiches, followed by crisps, fresh fruit, sausages, cheese, salad, fresh bread, pork pies (very British, but which could be replaced by quiches in France), cocktail sausages and quail eggs.

A bucolic picnic is set up on a linen blanket, in the heart of a sun-drenched flower-filled meadow.

However, the Google and Tasterwise study mentioned by Specialty Food indicates that the most frequently used search terms in connection with picnics are now ‘vegetarian’ and ‘vegan’.

This trend has certainly won over French consumers. Fine food shops should capitalise on this by offering a range of snacks, sauces and ready meals. And don’t forget fresh fruit and vegetables! 

Make mealtimes a celebration

The art of advising customers is where the talent and experience of grocers comes into play. Ask your customers where they want to have their picnic. By the sea, in a garden or in the mountains: the location can also influence the selection of gourmet products to take away. For example, you can tailor the picnic theme to the chosen setting: regional cheeses or cold meats in the mountains – with the option of ordering ready-made platters; seafood on the beach. Salads, fresh fruit and kebabs are ideal for a garden.

Grocery stores will thus transform the picnic into a unique taste experience in harmony with its surroundings. The most important thing is always the quality of the products selected, their flavour and authenticity. Anything that helps make this meal a moment of intense conviviality, togetherness and exchange.

The importance of accessories

The picnic celebration also provides an opportunity to highlight recyclable accessories: wooden cutlery, reusable plates made from recyclable paper or plastic that can be kept. Adding a touch of style and sustainability, picnic baskets bring a hint of nostalgia to outdoor meals. They have been enjoying a real revival in recent years, in line with the trend for authenticity, nostalgia and conviviality, even when eating outdoors. You can also find this trend in the Gourmet Selection 2025 trend book. Ankorstore, Gourmet Selection's partner, offers picnic baskets from around fifteen brands, including French brands Ekoobou, Laguiole and Aubry-Gaspard.

Nevertheless, the leading French specialist in this highly specific outdoor lunch market is the brand ‘Les Jardins de la Comtesse’. Since 2011, this French company has been promoting picnics as a reflection of the French art of living.

The name is no coincidence. The owners of the brand are an authentic noble family whose coat of arms, created in 1395, adorns the brand.

A country-style picnic is laid out on a light-colored blanket, with a carefully prepared wicker basket containing neatly arranged tableware and cutlery.

Discover the 2025 exhibitors at the Gourmet Selection trade show offering products that will complement your customers' picnics:

  • L’Épicurien Based in Occitanie, L’Épicurien is an artisan company offering over 350 varieties of jams, spreads, condiments and sweet and savoury biscuits. Renowned for its creativity and high standards, the brand has been combining taste and craftsmanship for over 40 years. https://epicurien.com/
  • Horme F&B Specialising in aperitif products, Horme F&B celebrates moments of sharing with spreads, savoury biscuits and gourmet specialities. All this is offered in a premium and accessible range, designed for convivial and tasty moments. https://maison-horme.com/
  • Sur le Sentier des Bergers This Corsican company offers an authentic range of aperitif products: spreads, terrines and local specialities. The emphasis is on naturalness, taste and showcasing the culinary riches of the Isle of Beauty. https://www.surlesentierdesbergers.fr/fr/
  • Maison Marc Renowned for its 100% French gherkins grown without herbicides or preservatives, Maison Marc is expanding its range with spreads, mustards and vegetable veloutés. Expertise passed down through three generations and praised by leading chefs. https://www.maisonmarc.fr/
  • GIE Occitanie Gourmet This group of companies promotes regional expertise through a varied range of local products. Spreads, aperitifs and local specialities are at the heart of their offering, with a focus on short supply chains and promoting Occitan producers. https://occitanie-gourmet.com/
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