'Traidcraft have such a selection of tempting chocolates and treats, its' a wonder the government haven't taken them on in their war against obesity.'

With the sun finally being promised to us this summer, what could be better than having a picnic? Sitting under the sun, in a park eating delectable food with family or friends is one of the best experiences. However, can we do it ethically and organically? Charlotte Haines Lyon has a few suggestions...

Whilst food is relatively easy on the ethical and organic front, the old picnic hamper needs a bit more imagination if you don't want to spend a fortune. A sustainable willow hamper costs from £60 upwards, but you could just use a bag you own or even reuse your carrier bags.

Likewise there is no need for specialist tableware. If you haven't got an old blanket on which to place food and bums, try raiding your local charity shop.

For eating and drinking, then the most environmentally friendly option is to use the crockery you already have. If you are afraid of breakage then why not use the blanket and any material napkins you own to wrap breakables in.

Similarly your own cutlery should be able to accompany you to the great outdoors. Although you may want to tie it together to stop it jangling around during your journey.

Food

It should be possible to have fun regardless of time or budget, which is why a range of foods and other ideas have been suggested. If you can't buy from Traidcraft or local whole food shops then rest assured that most supermarkets now sell organic and fair trade products. Tesco's is mentioned here simply because it's my local. Oh and everything is vegetarian as it is generally safer if you can't keep meat at the correct temperatures.

If you are time rich then why not make your own organic bread for sandwiches using Doves Farm flour. Their website even provides recipes for various breads.

Not only is the flour organic but Ethical Consumer recommend Doves Farm as one of the more ethical flours. It is available from most whole food shops and supermarkets.

No time for bread making? Then worry not, most supermarkets sell organic bread including sliced bread of various colours. You can even find more exotic types such as sunflower and pumpkin seed bread.

Sandwiches are one of the easiest picnic foods, especially with the wide variety fillers available. Again there is a wide range of organic cheese easily available.

However the real making of a sandwich for me is decent chutney. Supermarkets usually stock a few, and Tesco's sells my favourite, Martlet's Tomato and Apple Chutney for £1.49.

Personally on a hot summers day I love a pasta salad, which is surprisingly easy to make from organic ingredients. Traidcraft sell organic pasta which has quinoa sourced through fair trade.

In supermarkets and whole food shops you should find a variety of organic pesto's, including the popular Sacla product (approx £1.54). Mix the pesto into the cooked pasta and add chopped organic tomatoes, peppers and green beans (available from supermarkets and some whole food shops) and voila.

To be really green, store the sandwiches or pasta in old margarine tubs or equivalent that are lying around in your kitchen.

For those with even less time, then Tesco's do a great organic cheese and onion quiche (£2.29), which you can buy and serve without hassle.

Drinks

Again Traidcraft come to the rescue with fair trade orange juice. If you can't get hold of it Tesco's also do a fair trade orange juice for 79p. Organic juices are widely available.

Whilst being pregnant I have to confess to an addiction to lemons. When I am not drinking freshly squeezed juice then organic lemonade is my next peccadillo. So my picnic would be accompanied by a few cans of Whole Earth Organic Lemonade - perfect refreshment for a hot summers day. You should be able to find the lemonade in most whole food shops. Tesco's also sell their own brand of organic lemonade.

Desert

The Fairtrade Foundation have a fantastic array of recipes for cakes on their website. The chocolate and almond cake and banana bread are particularly yummy.

Remember you can get Fairtrade sugar, cocoa powder, dried fruit etc from Traidcraft. When you eat the cake you can remember that the sugar rotting your teeth, is helping to pay for bore holes in Kapasuli, Malawi.

Fair trade bananas are also easily found in all major supermarkets who also sell organic free range eggs and organic butter.

If you want something easier then Traidcraft have such a selection of tempting chocolates and treats. It is a wonder the government haven't taken them on in their war against obesity.

Alongside bags of fair trade sweets and chocolate bars, you can also feel semi healthy by gobbling their Geo Bars, which I have to admit form another pregnancy addiction!

Green and Blacks also produce organic fairly traded chocolate, which is available in supermarkets now.

OK so you have stuffed yourself silly and now need a bit of exercise. Well you can now even play with a conscience. The Co-op and Fair Deal Trading now sell Fairdeal Footballs.

Or if fancy humiliating yourself, you could try braving a boomerang. The natural collection sell left and right handed versions made from local wood in Scotland. Be warned though, I have never managed to make a boomerang come back, though fetching it and avoiding decapitation from friends attempts, have kept me fit.

So happy picnicking! Remember if the weather does it British thing, you can always return home and warm up with a cup of Traidcraft cocoa.

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