Atlantans invited to partake in city-wide pop-up picnic on Oct. 15

Oct. 15 is the one day you don’t want to eat lunch alone at your desk, because the rest of Atlanta will be enjoying a picnic lunch. Pop Up Picnic Atlanta is a one-day, city-wide event that encourages citizens throughout Atlanta to have a picnic from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The goal is to encourage people to slow down, eat real food and build community over a shared meal.

Anyone can host or attend a picnic. Where and how a picnic occurs is determined by each host, who can register the picnic on the Pop Up Picnic Atlanta website . Hosts will receive a kit to help aid in the planning. A pop up picnic can be as simple as a bring-your-own sack lunch or an elaborate, themed feast that involves 50 other eaters. Picnics can occur anywhere, from backyards to park benches to an office break room (in case of rain). Participants are asked to share pictures and videos about the experience on social media using the hashtag #POPUPPICNICATL2015.

“For many people, grabbing a pre-made sandwich and tossing it back while standing up, driving, or checking email is a daily occurrence,” said event organizer Megan Gilroy. “When our days are filled to the max, it’s easy to forget about how we nourish ourselves through food and connection with others.”