How to Celebrate Juneteenth with a Sustainable Barbecue
As Juneteenth approaches this weekend, there will be many special celebrations centered around community care, culture, and of course, good AF food! In the earliest days, Juneteenth was celebrated as a day of prayer and oftentimes included a pilgrimage to Galveston, Texas, the site of General Order No 3. where all residents were informed of the end of the Civil War and the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans in Southern states. Juneteenth is now a federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. Juneteenth celebrations have long consisted of summer gatherings that center on sharing food with family and friends; and throughout the country, they have included large-scale parades, parties, and city-wide celebrations.
Food is integral to Juneteenth celebrations. A variety of dishes signify different aspects of the African diaspora, including individual heritage and history. For instance, foods that are red can signify good luck and fortune. As you prep for your Juneteenth celebration or a susty bbq, we made a list of some delicious low-waste, vegan, and planet-healthy grub that illuminates the traditions of the holiday.
For The Grill:
No Juneteenth is complete until someone takes out the grill. For our plant-based baddies or those looking to make their grill-out a bit more conscious, here are some of our grill master favs:
For The Sharing Table:
Every summer gathering features loads of shareable, potluck-style foods for the whole party to enjoy. On Juneteenth, the sharing of meals acts as both a celebration and memorialization by building community and showing love. Many sides at Juneteenth parties highlight prosperity foods like black-eyed peas and cornbread. On the sharing table, you also might find red foods that symbolize the bloodshed and resilience of formerly enslaved Black people. We compiled some classic favorites as well as some unique additions to your communal table.
Black-eyed Pea Salad
For Dessert:
Of course, one cannot have a Juneteenth get-together without a delicious and decadent dessert. Many popular desserts are enjoyed on Juneteenth, but staying on theme, Red Velvet treats certainly take the cake (pun severely intended). We featured a few of our favorite red desserts and included some low-waste and plant-based desserts to try as well.
In The Cooler:
Red shows up commonly as a theme in Juneteenth gatherings, not only at the picnic table but also in the cooler. And as we approach warmer days, a drink on hand is necessary. Here are some refreshing and crowd-pleasing drink suggestions and recipes for you to try:
For The Table:
If you’re planning to host your whole block or even just your closest friends this Juneteenth, then susty party prep is a must. Paper plates, plastic cups, and plastic silverware run rampant at gatherings, but there are more sustainable ways to host a summer barbecue. These are some of our suggestions:
BYO–cup, plate, silverware! If you are hosting, you can always encourage your guests to bring their own utensils or tableware. And if you are an attendee, consider bringing your own serving and dining utensils!
Compostable table settings - These bamboo dinnerware products are a great alternative to the popular plastic ones. If you’re hosting a big celebration, we especially encourage these compostable options to keep your party susty.
Reusable napkins - Cloth napkins are a great way to keep any gathering, from a dinner party to a backyard barbecue, sustainable. Before buying new, search around your home to see if you have any scrap fabric or sheets in need of repurposing!
Compostable Cups - Everyone wants something to sip (and no one can ever remember where they put their cup at the party), so opt for a susty alternative to the good ol’ red Solo cup. Any sustainable baddie knows that cups can create a lot of waste, so having some extra compostable cups on hand will serve your guests well!