How do you celebrate Earth Day? Do you go to any of the rallies or events? Do your kids have any Earth Day Awareness programs at school to which you contribute? Or do you not really pay it much attention? Well here’s an idea: have a picnic. Who doesn’t love a picnic? It’s great for adults and kids alike to get outdoors, spend time with friends and family, and enjoy the food they love. The Nature Conservancy launched Picnic for the Planet in 2011 as a way to raise awareness about sustainable agriculture, homegrown foods and eating locally, all of which contribute to the health of our planet. The inaugural event had thousands of participants from 61 countries, hosting over 600 picnics. And this year the Nature Conservancy wants Picnic for the Planet to be even bigger and better…they’d like to set the world record for the most people picnicking in a 24 hour period. All to inspire people to think about where their food comes from, how it’s grown and how it impacts the Earth.

Think it’s a good idea? I know I do. It’s fun, it’s engaging, and it’s really easy to take part. And it involves food, which is always a good thing, in my humble, food-dreaming opinion. You have two choices to participate. You can browse the site to find a Conservancy-sponsored picnic event near you, or you can sign up to host a picnic with your own family and friends. Hosting a Picnic for the Planet with at least 25 people will allow your picnic to be officially included in the record-breaking attempt.

And to help inspire you in your picnic-related endeavours, The Nature Conservancy is providing me and some fellow food bloggers the opportunity to give away a wonderful picnic basket filled with Picnic for the Planet merchandise and some delicious treats. The total package is a $75 value and includes…

Coleman Collapsible canvas basket lined with gingham fabric, containing:

• Official Picnic for the Planet merchandise (water bottle, tee, blanket, temporary tattoo) 
• Reusable bamboo utensil set by To-Go Ware 
• Popchips 
• Peeled Snacks organic dried fruit 
• Green and Black chocolate bar 
• Back to Nature crackers and cookies 
• Burt’s Bees Chapstick 

I want to stress that this giveaway is open WORLDWIDE. That’s right, my friends. You might live in Timbuktu, but the Nature Conservancy is so passionate about raising awareness for this project, they will send these lovely picnic baskets anywhere in the world. I for one love this idea. I think the Picnic for the Planet is a fantastic campaign to get people thinking about where their food comes from and how we can all make small changes in our consumption habits that will help protect our Earth for future generations. I am thrilled to be a part of the project, and I have rounded up a few of my own recipes that I think would are picnic friendly, to help inspire you.

To Enter: 

1. Check out the Picnic for the Planet website at http://www.nature.org/earthday/index.htm and leave a comment letting me know you did so

2. For additional entries (come back and comment so I can count the entries)

•  like Picnic for the Planet on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thenatureconservancy
•  follow Picnic for the Planet on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/nature_org  
• Tweet the following:  
• Picnic for the Planet! Win a picnic basket w goodies ($75) from @nature_org & @dreamaboutfood http://bit.ly/HYPhK8 #giveaway #picnic12  

• Follow All Day I Dream About Food on Pinterest

3. Giveaway will run until April 22nd (EARTH DAY!) at which time, a winner will be chosen at random

4. You can also enter to win at these blogs:

A Spicy Perspective

Cookin Canuck
Created By Diane

Dine & Dish
Food for My Family

Gourmande in the Kitchen
I am Baker
Jeanette’s Healthy Living
The Little Kitchen

Tidy Mom