Blog
Darlene Murphy
May 21, 2026
Summer gatherings naturally bring people together outdoors, whether it’s a casual picnic at the park, a lakefront hangout, a backyard get-together, or a relaxed dinner with friends.
At Forage Kitchen, we believe food should feel just as vibrant and refreshing as summer itself. That’s why this season, we’re leaning into colorful, feel-good, healthy food that’s easy to share and enjoyable for everyone at the table.
In this blog, we share how fresh grain bowls, bright vegetables, and customizable healthy meals make summer picnics and outdoor gatherings easier, more balanced, and fun to share.
Bowls work especially well for summer because they’re colorful, customizable, portable, and easy to enjoy outdoors. They fit naturally into picnics, patio dinners, park bench lunches or any group gatherings.
Every color of the rainbow fits naturally into one bowl without any effort. Red beets, orange sweet potato, yellow corn, green kale, black rice, and cabbage all bring visual variety while creating balanced, satisfying meals.
What makes bowls work especially well is flexibility. Whether someone eats vegan food, vegetarian food, protein-packed meals, or lighter options, everyone can build something they genuinely enjoy without needing separate dishes or complicated substitutions.
Fresh, seasonal ingredients are what make summer grain bowls feel vibrant, balanced, and satisfying. Combining hearty grains, fresh vegetables, and flavorful toppings helps create meals that travel well for picnics, patio lunches, and lakeside dinners.
Popular summer ingredients at Forage Kitchen include:
Many of these ingredients come from locally sourced farms and regional suppliers, which means they arrive at our kitchen fresher, taste brighter, and support the communities we're rooted in across Wisconsin and Illinois. When your healthy food starts this close to home, you can taste the difference.
A great bowl starts with a great base. Grain bowls create a hearty, nourishing base that actually keeps you full.
Popular Forage Kitchen bases include:
Black rice brings a nutty flavor and deep color. Quinoa keeps things lighter while adding protein. Mixed greens or romaine work beautifully when you want something fresh and crisp underneath all those colorful toppings.
The base you pick can shape the whole experience. The texture, the staying power, how the flavors layer. It's what turns healthy food into something that genuinely satisfies.
Protein is what turns your bowl from light to a real, filling meal. There are protein options that work well for every kind of eater.
For vegan food and vegetarian food lovers, chickpeas, seasoned tofu, tempeh, and lentil meatballs add texture and substance without making bowls feel heavy.
For those who want animal proteins, roasted chicken, smoked salmon, tuna poke, and hard-boiled eggs pair naturally with grains, roasted vegetables, and bold sauces.
Mixing proteins also works well. Combining roasted tofu with chicken or tempeh with quinoa creates variety while keeping the bowl balanced and satisfying.
A colorful bowl without a great sauce is a missed opportunity. The right dressing ties all those vibrant ingredients together, making the whole bowl feel complete.
Thai Cashew brings creamy, nutty richness. Avocado Green Goddess adds a fresh, herb-forward flavor that pairs especially well with grains and roasted vegetables. Citrus vinaigrette brightens everything with a light, tangy finish, while Thai Basil dressing brings brightness and depth.
Layering creamy and acidic sauces together helps grain bowls feel more dynamic while keeping the ingredients fresh and vibrant.
Using these ingredients carefully to mix and match the colors can make your bowl perfect for summer gatherings and picnic spreads. Forage Kitchen's menu features fresh, locally sourced ingredients to create grain bowls.
Planning a picnic in Sun Prairie, Monona, or anywhere in Wisconsin? A Make Your Own station is one of the easiest, most crowd-pleasing setups you can put together. Everyone builds their own customized bowl, which naturally supports many dietary preferences without needing separate meals.
Set out your ingredients in delicious, colorful rows. Grains first, then proteins, then the rainbow of toppings, with dressings last. Wide, shallow dishes let guests see all the beautiful, delicious options clearly.
A few tips for keeping your bowl bar fresh and vibrant:
Want to make hosting even easier? Forage Kitchen catering brings the whole bowl bar experience to your picnic, office lunch, or summer gathering with fresh, locally sourced ingredients and balanced meals ready to serve.
Balanced meals pair well with lighter, refreshing, and colorful drinks.
Kombucha and tepache add a fermented, gut-friendly option that complements grain bowls and salads without feeling overly heavy or sugary. Fresh juices and seasonal beverages also help keep gatherings relaxed, colorful, and energizing.
Adding fresh drinks alongside healthy bowls creates a more complete summer picnic meal experience.
Yes. Plant-based proteins like tofu, lentils, edamame, and chickpeas make vegan bowls filling and balanced without sacrificing flavor.
Roasted vegetables, leafy greens, colorful grains, fresh herbs, and seasonal produce all help create visually vibrant bowls.
Use a combination of grains, proteins, healthy fats, and flavorful dressings to add texture and balance.
Yes. Group ordering, catering services, grain bowls, salads, wraps, and customizable setups are available at select Forage Kitchen locations.
Summer meals should feel fresh, light, colorful, and easy to share. Fresh vegetables, grain bowls, seasonal drinks, and flexible healthy meals make outdoor gatherings feel relaxed without sacrificing flavor or balance.
Whether you’re planning a casual picnic, a patio lunch, or a larger summer gathering, Forage Kitchen makes healthy eating feel vibrant, approachable, and genuinely satisfying.
Order catering from a nearby Forage Kitchen to bring fresh, feel-good bowls to your summer gathering.
Darlene Murphy is Vice President of Brand Development at Forage Kitchen. A veteran of both restaurant and retail marketing, she makes sure everyone knows and loves the Forage Kitchen vibe and is focused on strengthening the brand, menu innovation and creating a community for both existing and new guests.
